The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 18

Although Citrine never breathed a word about the Iverson family in front of him, the old man knew full well just how cruel they'd been to her.

His concern warmed Citrine's heart. She hadn't planned to keep secrets from him, so she simply told her grandfather that she'd cut ties with the Iversons.

"What?" The old man sprang to his feet, outrage flaring in his eyes. "That Sawyer brat actually dared to treat you like this? I ought to wring his neck!"

Spotting the empty table and realizing there was nothing left for him to throw in his anger, Citrine quickly moved to calm him down. She gently patted his back, worried that his fury might get the better of him. "Grandpa, please, don't get so worked up."

She added softly, "I've already left the Iversons. And... I found my real father."

At the first bit of news, her grandfather finally let out a relieved breath. "Good. You're better off away from those fools. The Iversons never deserved your loyalty."

But then he caught her last words and stiffened, suddenly wary. "Your real father?"

Citrine nodded. "Yes. His name is Raymond."

man ruffled her hair, his expression turning a touch more serious. "Listen, sweetheart. If the Carmichaels ever treat you badly, don't

try to persuade Citrine to stay. He knew, better than anyone, that she'd made up her mind. After all these years after everything Sawyer had put her through—her longing for love had become an ache

that she'd found her real father, her grandfather couldn't help but worry. All he hoped was that the Carmichaels wouldn't break her heart the way the Iversons

"Thank you, Grandpa."

neck. She knew her stubborn old grandfather wished she could stay by his side. The only reason he let her remain in Havencrest was because, in the

the night. She called

a string of unfamiliar numbers. Citrine glanced at the screen and declined the

are you?" The man's voice was calm,

surprise. How did he get her number? Was he actually worried about her? No, that couldn't be, she told herself, quickly dismissing the thought. After a long pause, she replied, "I had some things

then added, "I already

she never really

in the empty silence. For the past week, every time he came home he'd find Citrine curled up in the living room watching TV, or he'd see

house was dark and utterly silent. The emptiness unnerved him more than he cared to

why he