In her past life, she’d nearly broken under the weight of it all – the desperate need for love, the constant fear of being abandoned, the relentless nightmares. If it hadn’t been for Una, she might’ve ended her life long before the Jensons had the chance to destroy it.
Everyone has a weakness.
Even Tilda.
And back then, hers had been her hunger for family.
She’d given up everything for them – her pride, her dignity, even her life.
But in this life? That weakness was gone.
She hit “call back.”
Three seconds later, Una picked up. “Oh my God, Tilda! Are you okay? I saw the news last night!”
“Sorry, Una,” Tilda said softly. “I moved out of my family’s place and passed out right after. Didn’t mean to make you worry.”
“You moved out?!”
Tilda told her everything.
“That’s awful. You must be so upset.”
They’d met freshman year at Orica University – two computer science majors who’d instantly clicked. At first, Tilda had seemed distant, hard to read. But Una had quickly realized she wasn’t cold – just lonely.
Tilda had grown up in an orphanage and had seen more of the world’s cruelty than most adults. Her mentor had been the first person to ever show her real kindness. Strict, yes – but kind.
Then, sophomore year, an accident took him away.
After that, Tilda had locked her heart up tight.
All she’d wanted was to find her family.
That was why she’d endured everything the Jensons had thrown at her – the lies, the punishments, the humiliation. Because losing them felt like dying all over again.
“I’m okay now, Una,” she said quietly. “I’ve finally figured it out. Maybe I lost a family, but I still have plenty to hold on to. I’ve got you – my best friend.”
This time, she wouldn’t chase after love that hurt her.
She’d live for the people who truly cared.
“That’s right!” Una said, voice fierce. “From now on, I’m your sister. My home is your home. You’ve met my parents – they adore you. Call them Mom and Dad if you want.”
Warmth spread through Tilda’s chest.
“Thanks, Una. By the way, I’ve already taken a few days off. Told my advisor I’ve got personal stuff to handle.”
“Tilda, do you even have a place to stay? You gave up your dorm when you moved in with the Jensons. Why don’t you just crash at my place?”
“I’m fine. I’ve got somewhere lined up. But when I need a shoulder, I’ll come knocking.”
“You’d better,” Una said. “We might not be rich like the Jensons, but our door’s always open to you.”
Tilda hung up, took a deep breath.
Yes – she still had people worth holding on to. Andy. Una.
In her past life, she’d been such a fool. But now? Things were different.
She slipped on a mask and sunglasses and stepped out, leaving her luggage at the front desk.
First stop: Porsche dealership.
She dropped $150,000 cash on a brand-new Cayenne. No loans. No waiting list. Just something she could drive off the lot tomorrow.
The staff treated her with polite smiles – they were used to girls like her. Young. Mysterious. Loaded.
Next stop: a real estate office.
She wired three million for a fully furnished apartment in the city center. Perfect size, move-in ready. She signed the contract, transferred the funds, and walked out with the keys in hand.
By the time she was done, the sky had turned dark.
Tilda wheeled her suitcase into her new place. Floor-to-ceiling windows. The city skyline glowing below.
This was her fresh start.
Her phone buzzed – it was Una.
Tilda smiled as she answered. “Hey, Una. What’s up?”
“Am I catching you at a bad time?”
“Not at all. I’m all done for the day.”
“Then meet me at Nightingale Bar. I figured we could grab a drink.”
Una had been wracking her brain for ways to cheer her up without reopening wounds. A quiet bar by the river seemed like the safest bet.
Nightingale wasn’t the wild, club-scene kind of place – it was mellow and elegant, where you could sip something smooth, feel the breeze, and watch city lights shimmer on the water.
Tilda knew exactly what Una was doing – and the thought warmed her heart.
“Sure,” she said softly. “See you there.”
…
At Nightingale Bar
Wade sat alone at the counter, slowly swirling the amber liquid in his glass, his gaze fixed somewhere distant.
“Wade,” a voice drawled beside him, “never thought I’d see you like this. What’s going on? Drowning your sorrows?”
Clive Rowse, Wade’s childhood buddy, was sprawled across the leather couch, arms draped over the backrest, watching Wade down one beer after another without saying a word. Then his mouth twisted into a smirk.
When Wade still didn’t speak, Clive leaned over and smacked his arm.
“Alright, that’s enough. If you get wasted, I’m not dragging your ass home. Not letting your old man chew me out again.”
“It’s just beer. I’m fine,” Wade muttered, finally setting the bottle down and leaning back.
A cool breeze drifted in from the river as he tilted his head up, eyes tracing the night sky.
Clive loosened his pink tie and threw a flirty wink at a woman walking past. Dressed to kill, slick hair, sharp suit, and the confidence to match – he looked every inch the charmer. The purple diamond in his ear caught the bar’s low light, flashing just enough to make people look twice.
But no one was looking at Clive. They were looking at Wade.
And who could blame them?
The Jensons were disgustingly good-looking – seven sons, each one blessed with Russell and Blair’s perfect genes. Wade had chiseled cheekbones, a sharp nose, and lips that belonged on a magazine cover. Add the messy hair, and he looked like he’d walked straight off a photoshoot.
“Every time we go out, I might as well be invisible,” Clive grumbled. “No one even notices me.”
Wade closed his eyes, ignoring him.
When Wade still didn’t bite, Clive sighed. “I saw the news. Is that what’s eating you? You worried about Kyla?”
“That’s part of it,” Wade said, exhaling slowly. “The other part’s Tilda. We accused her of leaking the story yesterday. She didn’t do it. We screwed up. She said she’s done with us, packed her things, and left.”
Clive whistled low. “You guys thought she was the leak?”
Wade didn’t answer. That was answer enough.
“Damn, talk about jumping the gun. Still…” Clive tilted his head. “Isn’t this kinda… a win for you? Your long-lost sister’s back, but she’s getting in Kyla’s way – and you’ve always been Team Kyla.”
Wade didn’t deny it. “Yeah. Kyla’s been with us since she was one. We grew up together. She’s kind, thoughtful… I never felt anything for Tilda. Honestly, I used to think it’d be better if she never came back. It’d just hurt Kyla.”
“Then there you go,” Clive said, raising his glass. “Tilda’s gone, no strings attached. Time to celebrate. Cheers.”
Celebrate?
Yeah, maybe he should be happy.
So why did watching her walk away feel so heavy? Why did his mom’s failed attempt to stop her hit like a gut punch?
Maybe it was guilt.
Or maybe that blood tie you can’t shake – because no matter how hard he tried to deny it, Tilda was still his sister.
If she had leaked the story, Wade might’ve been glad she left. But when she actually did, it felt like they owed her something they could never repay.
Earlier that day, at Orica University, Wade had done something he’d never done before – he’d gone asking around for her.
No one had seen her. No one knew where she’d gone.
Russell brushed it off, saying she’d come home once she cooled off. Told everyone to leave her be. Everyone except Blair – she was the only one who truly missed her.
For the Jensons, Kyla had always been enough.
The seven brothers felt the same.
Then, out of nowhere, Wade froze.
He’d just spotted someone familiar.
“Tilda? Over here!”
It was Una waving from the rooftop bar.
Tilda walked toward her with an easy smile.
She wore a crisp white blouse tucked into jeans, sneakers on her feet – no makeup, yet somehow she glowed. Her starlit eyes and soft features caught the light with every step.
People turned to look. Even Wade couldn’t look away.
Was Tilda always this beautiful? He couldn’t remember noticing.
The first time she’d caught his attention was when he found out she was the sister they’d lost nineteen years ago. That first visit home had been a disaster – awkward, nervous, desperate to please. She’d made a terrible impression.
To Wade, a Jenson carried themselves with pride. Compared to Kyla, Tilda had seemed… small. Weak.
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