The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 80

It wasn't until Citrine's voice broke through the haze that Sebastian snapped back to reality.

"What are you doing here? Don't you have work?" Citrine stared at him, eyes never leaving his face.

"I finished my tasks for the day, so I thought I'd come here for some fresh air." Even as he spoke, Sebastian couldn't help but glance at Citrine's left ear.

Realizing what he was doing, he quickly looked away. "Sorry, I didn't mean to stare."

Citrine's expression didn't change; she didn't seem to think there was anything to apologize for. She spoke up herself, "I hurt my ear when I was little. Can't hear out of it anymore."

Her tone was so light, Sebastian couldn't detect any emotion, not even a hint of sadness.

In this moment, Citrine was nothing like the girl he remembered from the last time they'd met. Now, she seemed wise beyond her years, her eyes holding feelings he couldn't even begin to decipher.

Worried he might upset her, Sebastian dropped the subject of her ear. He tried to lighten the mood with a teasing smile. "Feeling down? Want to talk about it?"

Today, there was a deep sadness in Citrine's eyes-so deep that Sebastian felt a pang in his chest just looking at her.

and hard to read, but in the two times he'd met this

to cheer her up and paused, surprised-she hadn't expected someone like him

far better ally than an enemy. Quietly drawing him closer now would only help her in the future. She

asked, "What about you? What do you do when you're feeling

off guard

cigarette

the girl in front of

usually read a bit, or head to the arcade to play games and distract

exactly a saint, but he wasn't heartless enough

couldn't tell if she'd actually

out and have some fun?" Sebastian checked his watch. There was still plenty of

a moment's

friends know, then headed to

got permission from his manager and led

a hefty stash of tokens

over at a row of claw machines. Leaning down, he asked in a gentle voice, "See anything you like? Want me to