The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 348

Kali picked a romantic movie, hoping it would rekindle something between them. Throughout the film, she kept “accidentally” brushing her hand against Hastings's, but he didn't even glance at her his eyes never left the screen.

No matter what she did, it was useless. Frustration simmered in her chest.

When the movie ended and Hastings offered to drive her home, Kali couldn't hold

it in any longer. She stopped in her tracks and looked up at him. "Hastings, do you... do you hate me now?"

Her voice was trembling, on the verge of tears.

Hastings paused, startled. "Of course not. I could never hate you."

Kali's eyes reddened as she stared at him, her voice small and wounded. "Then why do I feel like you're pulling away from me? You hardly message me anymore, and you act like you don't want me to touch you. Did I do something wrong?"

For a moment, Hastings's expression froze. Honestly, he didn't even know why he'd been keeping his distance from Kali.

They used to be so close.

there, eyes shining with unshed

said softly, "I'm sorry, Kali. You didn't

her voice barely more than a whisper. "Is there

punch. Was it because of Citrine that he couldn't bring

searched himself for an

she called again when he didn't reply, her voice thin

snapped out of it and looked at her with gentle firmness. "Kali, you've always been like

in Kali's eyes faded completely,

that woman's face out of

been put under some

he'd liked Kali, he'd never felt this way-never spent his days

This woman was dangerous.

social media accounts online, scrolling through every update, piecing together little glimpses into her life. He discovered she'd been accepted early to Crestwood University, yet still insisted on sitting the entrance exam—and even

realized just how

thief, hiding in the shadows, stealing moments of happiness from

But it wasn't enough.