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 coldness about her, a distance

me?" Alicia

far, reduced to a plaything for others' amusement. Of all people, it had to be Citrine who saw her

think Alicia deserved every bit of

Citrine's reply was blunt, with no attempt to

But now that it was draped over Alicia's shoulders, she

pressed her lips together and forced

If I'd known, I wouldn't have bothered." Citrine answered

her. Citrine was not one to forgive or

"You must be enjoying this, seeing

stared at

bitter smile. "I never thought my father-the man I thought loved me-would force me to

Chase family fell apart, my parents have become ugly strangers. The home I loved

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

"That's not my

coldness stung more