The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 13

His daughter had become Raymond's daughter.

The realization struck Sawyer like a blow to the chest a dull, lingering ache he couldn't ignore.

For some reason, his mind drifted back to memories of Citrine as a child.

Back then, Sawyer had nothing-no money, no connections. He was just starting his company, which had already lost a fortune on its first projects, leaving him drowning in debt. He spent months in a haze of despair, convinced he'd reached rock bottom.

That was when he met Citrine.

One night, after drinking far too much, he stumbled down the street on his way home. That's when he saw young Citrine.

She couldn't have been more than three, dressed in ragged clothes that made her look like a little street urchin. Head held high, she called out to him.

"Daddy."

Her eyes sparkled-bright and clear, as if holding a whole galaxy inside.

Sawyer had never dealt with such a young child before. For the first time in a long while, he stopped in his tracks.

He answered, his tone oddly serious, "Kid, I'm not your dad."

Citrine stared back at him, her gaze far too wise for her age. "But could you be?" she asked.

Worried he wouldn't believe her, she went on, "My dad says I'm a burden, so he hates me. I want a new dad. Could you be my dad?"

Sawyer's chest, easing the tension that had been wound

latching onto me, aren't you?" he replied, half

he didn't give

was nearly home that he

me this

Citrine nodded.

dangerous that is?" For

you live? I'll take

he was upset, Citrine

a narrow alley, overflowing with trash and

lived in a rundown apartment building

Citrine said, knocking on

a man swung the door open and

"You useless brat, where's

picked herself up, pulled a handful of crumpled bills from

growled, clearly unsatisfied. He grabbed a chair from the doorway and swung

blocking the blow and landing a punch squarely on the man's

She's your daughter!" Sawyer shouted, jabbing

nothing but a worthless drain," the man spat, clutching his face. In the

police, he learned the grim truth: Citrine had been

Sawyer took her home with

was broke, buried in debt-there were days when instant noodles were all he

mom and dad?" Sawyer asked