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."

"Listen, sweetheart. If the Carmichaels ever treat you badly, don't forget you can always come home. As long as I'm here, you'll always have a place

up her mind. After all these years after everything Sawyer had put her

but worry. All he hoped was that the Carmichaels wouldn't break her heart

"Thank you, Grandpa."

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

night. She called

phone buzzed with a string of unfamiliar numbers. Citrine glanced at the screen and

calm, but underneath there was a

No, that couldn't be, she told herself, quickly dismissing the thought. After a long pause, she replied, "I had some things to take

then added,

she never really

past week, every time he came home he'd find Citrine curled

the house was dark and utterly silent. The emptiness unnerved

why