The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 112

The display cabinet in the Iverson family home was filled with Jeanette's awards and certificates, tracing her achievements from childhood all the way up. Most were for second or third place, and some were little more than participation ribbons, but Sawyer treasured them all, carefully arranging each one as if it were gold.

Citrine used to dream of having a cabinet like that for herself. But when she'd asked, Sawyer brushed her off with a flimsy excuse about there not being enough space in the house.

She remembered a competition when Jeanette came home in tears because she hadn't won anything. That time, Citrine had actually placed, and she'd run to Sawyer, beaming. "Dad, look! I won an award!"

Instead of celebrating with her, Sawyer lost his temper.

He snapped, "Keep your mouth shut. What's there to brag about with some silly prize? Can't you see your sister's upset? How can you be so insensitive?"

He wasn't done. His voice went cold: "I don't ever want to see you waving your certificates around this house again."

Sawyer's face was more severe than Citrine had ever seen. The scolding frightened her so much that she never brought home another certificate.

standing in front of this wall covered in awards, Citrine's eyes stung. She whispered, "In the Iverson family, there was

sharp with anger. "That's the damn

but laugh, genuine and light. "This is the first time I've ever seen a wall covered

looked at Raymond with sincerity. "Thank you, Raymond." She could

for thanks," Raymond said with a chuckle, amused by her

always be this kind. But then something seemed to trouble her; her smile faded and she looked

"But someday, you'll have children of your own." She glanced aside, unable to hide the hint

father-daughter intuition, but he could sense how

serious. "You'll always be my

she didn't really believe him. She knew that one day he'd probably have a wife, and children would follow-it was only natural. Who knew if he'd turn out just like Sawyer? Still, Raymond's words filled her with a kind

was in high spirits that day. Maybe her mood rubbed off on him, because when he went to work the next morning, nothing could bring