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.

with childish outrage: "Dad, I don't

rush to comfort

looking up at her with a warning in his

bubbling inside him. He'd never seen Citrine so upset, and it twisted his heart in knots. Scowling, he glared at Sawyer and muttered bitterly, "Are you deaf? Get that

last furious look before storming back

under the covers, shoulders shaking with muffled sobs. "Bad daddy," she whimpered. "I don't want to talk to

could give Sawyer

new arrivals, Sawyer

still mad

refusing to

and, after a brief hesitation,

wouldn't look at him, but her

gently wiped her cheeks. "I'm sorry,

taking her small hand and pressing it to his own cheek.

Citrine whispered, her resolve already faltering. She cupped Sawyer's face and planted a few

scene, fuming

things only got worse after that. The more time went on, the more Raymond wanted