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.

features hadn't changed much-still echoing the girl from their childhood -but now there was a

it's me?" Alicia gave a

reduced to a plaything for others' amusement. Of all

think Alicia deserved

reply was blunt, with

designer, expensive. But now that it was draped over Alicia's shoulders, she couldn't bring

heart had been carved out. She pressed her lips together and forced herself to speak.

wouldn't have bothered." Citrine answered without

pain Alicia had caused her. Citrine was not one to forgive

knife. Alicia's voice trembled. "You

at her

bitter smile. "I never thought my father-the man I thought loved

have become ugly strangers. The home I loved

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

"That's

more than any