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.

both Norton and Clifford ended up returning

the brothers were nervous-strangers in a new home-but Citrine's warmth quickly drew them in, and before long, they

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

reflect-had he really been too

soon as

become more and more outrageous over the years. A flood of unwelcome memories

exams, mischievous Citrine locked him in his room on purpose, causing him to miss the test-and as

time she filled his room with fresh flowers, knowing full well

he took off his own mask and put it on her, using the last of his strength to push her up to the surface. Exhausted, he sank rapidly toward

off on her own-she didn't

that, whatever affection he'd had left for

the days that followed, Sawyer and Norton did everything they

slept for days. Stubble shadowed their jaws, and their eyes were

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

was hoarse, worn thin by exhaustion and the