The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

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.

got home, she carefully chose a gift

Citrine went, Alicia

changed when Aline brought Jeanette back to the Iverson

by bit, Citrine lost the love of

one in the Iverson family wanted to listen to

changed-everyone, that is, except

would always step in front of her,

you again? Just wait—-I'll show her not to mess

Even if no one else believes you, I always

that annoying pest, ever again. Please

how much you

let's be best friends

but sometimes, the smallest storm can tear

Alicia came over to play. The housekeeper was off that day; only

out. Citrine and Alicia didn't notice anything was wrong until

what was happening, she dashed out of the room and caught sight of

doing?"

laughed, loud and

alive, Citrine." The fire flickered across her face, making her look monstrous. "Once you're

her

she were staring at