The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 147

Day by day, Young Citrine and Sawyer grew closer.

Under the warmth of Sawyer's affection, she blossomed her spirit and laughter growing stronger with each passing week. There was something new in her once- calm eyes, a spark that hadn't been there before.

Time seemed to fly. They moved from a cramped apartment to a sprawling house with sunlit windows and wide lawns. By then, Sawyer had built a reputation as a successful entrepreneur-people in town knew his name.

Not wanting Citrine to feel lonely, Sawyer took her to a local children's home, where she could choose two boys to be her older brothers. Citrine spotted Norton and Clifford immediately, and just like that, their little family grew.

With her new brothers around, Citrine fully came out of her shell-livelier, more cheerful than anyone had ever seen her. The biggest surprise, though, was when the ever-considerate Citrine started showing a little attitude of her own, pouting and stomping her feet when things didn't go her way. Sawyer and the boys

couldn't help but laugh. It was a good sign.

But then, one winter, everything changed.

That day, Sawyer came home with a woman and a small girl in tow.

Standing at the top of the staircase, Citrine caught sight of the two newcomers. For the first time, a pang of unease twisted in her chest.

"This is your new little sister," Sawyer said, glancing up and motioning toward the girl nestled in the woman's arms.

She fixed her gaze on Sawyer below, her voice trembling with childish outrage: "Dad, I don't want a sister! Make them leave!" She hurled her beloved teddy bear-Sawyer's gift, her favorite-down the

Sawyer didn't rush to

enough," he said, looking up at her

Citrine so upset, and it twisted his heart in knots. Scowling, he

shot Sawyer one last furious look before storming back to

shaking with muffled sobs. "Bad daddy,"

anything he could give Sawyer a piece

after settling the new

you still mad at Daddy?" he asked

refusing to

noticed the tears glistening on her lashes and, after a brief hesitation, scooped her

still wouldn't look at him, but her

wiped her cheeks. "I'm sorry,

pressing it to his own cheek. "Here, you can hit Daddy

you. It'll hurt," Citrine whispered, her resolve already faltering. She cupped Sawyer's face and planted a

the scene, fuming with

after that. The more time went on, the more