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.

shining with unshed tears, he realized he was being

said softly, "I'm sorry, Kali. You didn't do anything wrong. This

her voice barely more than a

of Citrine that he

an answer-but came up

didn't reply, her voice thin

at her with gentle firmness. "Kali, you've always been like a sister

Kali's eyes faded completely,

couldn't get that woman's face out of his

put under some

way-never spent his days and nights thinking about someone to the point of

This woman was dangerous.

following Citrine's 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 more shocking, she'd aced it, coming in at the

hadn't realized just how

thief, hiding in the shadows, stealing moments of happiness

But it wasn't enough.