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 a coldness about her, a distance that kept Alicia firmly

Alicia

plaything for others' amusement.

lowest. She must think Alicia deserved every

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

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

her lips together and forced herself to speak. "Do you regret

I wouldn't have bothered." Citrine answered

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

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

at her in

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

become ugly strangers. The home I loved is

bottled up, all the humiliation and betrayal of

"That's not my

stung more