The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 78

She never imagined their next meeting would happen like this. With her face buried against her knees, Alicia felt her eyes sting; tears slowly seeped into her black dress, dampening the fabric.

A moment later, she sensed something draped across her shoulders.

Citrine had slipped off her coat and gently placed it over Alicia's back.

"You should head home. Be careful-there are some real creeps out at this hour."

Noticing Alicia had no interest in conversation, Citrine didn't press. She left her with that parting warning and turned to go.

As Citrine's footsteps faded into the distance, a surge of indescribable loneliness washed over Alicia.

She clutched the coat tighter, then suddenly stood and called after her, "Citrine!" Hearing her name, Citrine turned around, familiar yet changed.

"It's really you?" Alicia met Citrine's gaze, searching her face for traces of the girl she used to know. Citrine looked calm, almost indifferent, though there was a flicker of surprise in her eyes.

"Thank you for helping me," Alicia said, holding Citrine's eyes, her own heart in turmoil.

changed much-still echoing the girl from their childhood -but now there was

Alicia gave

golden child everyone envied, she had fallen so far, reduced to a plaything for others' amusement.

Alicia deserved every bit

rotten luck." Citrine's reply was blunt, with no attempt to

wincing inwardly; it was designer, expensive. But now that it was draped over Alicia's shoulders, she couldn't bring herself to ask for

her lips

I'd known, I wouldn't have

forgot the pain Alicia had caused her. Citrine was not one

deep, like a knife. Alicia's voice trembled. "You must be

just stared at her

lip, forcing another bitter smile. "I never thought my father-the man I

my parents have become ugly strangers. The home I loved is

everything she'd bottled up, all the humiliation and betrayal of

listened, unmoved. "That's not my

more than any