Chapter 30

Citrine's eyes suddenly turned cold, lips flattening into a hard line.

The air went still in an instant.

No one would have guessed that Citrine and Alicia had once been inseparable as children the kind of best friends who practically shared everything.

When they were little, Citrine was an adorable, cherubic child, the sort everyone wanted to scoop up and hug.

She was just three and a half when she first met four-year-old Alicia at preschool.

Alicia, even then, was obsessed with beauty. The moment she saw Citrine, she was utterly enchanted by her.

She went home in tears, begging her mother, Irma Chase, to bring Citrine home to be her little sister.

Back then, Aline and her son hadn't yet returned to the Iverson family. Citrine was still a little girl wrapped in warmth and affection.

Faced with the clumsy adoration of a child her own age, Citrine felt awkward and lost.

After all, the other kids at preschool didn't like her. The reason was almost laughable: she always answered every question the teacher asked and earned the most gold stars.

Alicia was the first child who ever said she liked her.

the happiest Citrine had ever had at preschool. When she got home, she carefully chose a gift for her very first friend and brought it to school the next

Citrine went,

changed when Aline brought Jeanette

lost the love of everyone around

family wanted to listen

changed-everyone, that

was upset, Alicia would always step in front

brat picking on you again? Just wait—-I'll show her not to mess with

"Citrine, don't be sad. Even if no one else believes you, I always

"Citrine, I won't talk to Jeanette, that annoying pest, ever again. Please don't be

much you change, you'll always be my best

say, "Citrine, let's be

friendships so easily, but sometimes, the smallest storm can tear them

Alicia came over to play. The housekeeper was off that day; only the two of them and

was the day the fire broke out. Citrine and Alicia didn't notice anything was wrong

dashed out of the room and caught sight of Jeanette, a lighter

you doing?" Citrine shouted,

just laughed, loud

The fire flickered across her face, making her look monstrous. "Once you're dead, everything the Iversons own

on her

felt as if she were staring at a demon—not

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255