The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 88

He clung even tighter to Citrine's sleeve, refusing to let go no matter what.

"The car's billowing black smoke-if you go back, it could explode any second. It's too dangerous!"

"If I don't, he'll die." Citrine pried the old man's hand off her arm, her jaw set, and turned back toward the wreck.

The driver inside the car was in even worse shape than the old man. From the looks of it, he was barely clinging to life.

Citrine didn't waste a second. She tore strips from her shirt and used them to bandage the driver's wounds, staunching the bleeding as best she could.

Only once she'd done everything she could did she start to drag him out.

Just then, the shrill wail of an ambulance cut through the chaos. Paramedics rushed over, quickly taking Citrine's place and carefully pulling the driver to safety.

Without hesitating, Citrine climbed into the ambulance and rode with them to the hospital.

Raymond saw the breaking news at work, and his heart nearly stopped. Grabbing his car keys, he tore out of the office and sped to the hospital, cutting what should have been a thirty-minute drive down to ten.

prayed silently: Please, let Citrine be

inside, not breathing easy until he saw Citrine—Alicia— sitting

from waiting, Citrine had just stood up to go buy something to eat when she suddenly found herself staring into a pair

red, like a cornered animal's; for a second, Citrine saw something fierce and dangerous flicker there-so unlike his usual

several steps back as he strode toward

seem to notice her retreat. He rushed forward and wrapped her tightly in

I should have come sooner." Raymond's voice was

realized how shaken he really was. She let him hold her, waiting until his breathing

was in flames. I thought you might have gotten hurt trying to help." Raymond finally

his voice and feeling a little

stared at

was worried about Weston, Citrine added, "Don't worry, he's alright." Raymond's gaze lingered on

Weston. Why did you risk your life

to explode, how Citrine had thrown herself into danger for Weston. The thought of what might have happened if the

trapped in that car, Raymond's first thought-if he was honest-had been for

Citrine a