The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 16

Citrine's arrival in his life had been completely unexpected.

And for Raymond, that surprise came with a tangle of emotions he could scarcely unravel.

When Citrine first came to him, he hadn't believed her claims. Only after the DNA test confirmed she was indeed his biological daughter did he force himself to accept the truth-however much it unsettled him.

But now, as he watched her, Raymond finally realized just how much he owed this girl.

He had brought her into the world, yet failed utterly to protect her.

That afternoon, when school let out at five, Citrine was wandering the curb, scanning for the Carmichael family's car, when she suddenly spotted a familiar black Phantom idling nearby.

"Don't bother looking-there's no driver today," Raymond called, striding over with his long, purposeful steps as he climbed out of the car.

Citrine stared, wide-eyed, as he approached her.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, the question lingering in her mind though she kept her face carefully neutral.

He had taken her out for dinner once before, but Citrine never really believed Raymond wanted to pick her up from school, not after how obviously reluctant he'd been to acknowledge her at first.

urgent, and I happened to be free," Raymond replied, his expression stiff

accepting his explanation without

in the car, Raymond broke the silence.

his mind about

by his sudden concern.

"Why?"

remember all too well how hard he had resisted accepting her when they first

hadn't forgotten that first, uncomfortable encounter, and for

offered an explanation: "I didn't realize you were really my daughter

what he was getting

she might have struggled in the

Citrine shook her head.

her life. There was no reason

feel some attachment to the

Raymond handled all the paperwork with brisk efficiency. Everything

were added-her own page now filed neatly

this time, she wasn't just

She was Citrine Carmichael.

Citrine thought he'd drive her straight back to the Carmichael house- but