The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 183

Norton never imagined that his most humiliating moment would be witnessed by the little one.

He had already formed the words in his mind, ready to coax her into taking

Clifford with her as well. But when he looked at her innocent face, he just couldn't bring himself to say them.

She was pure, untouched by the world's ugliness-someone he shouldn't deceive.

Norton silently berated himself for even considering such a low tactic.

Just then, the little girl tugged gently on his sleeve, her wide, trusting eyes fixed on him. "If bringing your brother home too would make you happy, I'll ask Dad. I'll tell him to bring both of you back with me."

Norton's head shot up in surprise.

"You'd really do that?" His voice trembled, eyes stinging as they filled with tears.

"If you're happy, then I'm happy too." She grinned and threw her arms around him, nuzzling into his chest.

thanks to Citrine, both Norton and Clifford ended up returning with Sawyer to the Iverson

new home-but Citrine's warmth quickly drew them in, and before

faded so much that Norton could barely recall them anymore. But ever since Citrine had spoken those words, the past had come rushing

couldn't help but reflect-had he really been too cold toward Citrine

as it

Citrine had become more and more outrageous over the years. A flood

on purpose, causing him to miss the test-and as a result, he ended up in

she filled his room with fresh flowers, knowing full well he was

truly broke him was the summer he took Citrine scuba diving. When her oxygen tank malfunctioned, he didn't hesitate: he took off his own mask and

ran off on her

had left

everything they could-calling in favors, exhausting every

shadowed their jaws, and their

it was no use: the Iverson family stock continued to plummet. On the fourth day, desperation finally

hoarse, worn thin by