Chapter 371

The next morning, rain swept over Crestwood, the temperature plummeting as cold wind rattled the trees outside.

Hastings was already waiting downstairs, just as they'd agreed.

Meanwhile, Citrine lounged on the living room sofa, lazily playing with the kitten nestled in her arms. Happy, half-lidded and purring, stretched out his round belly and nudged closer, utterly content.

From her spot by the window, Citrine could see Hastings standing below, holding a flimsy umbrella. The temperature had dropped to just fifty degrees, yet he wore nothing but a thin T-shirt.

He must be freezing, she thought, a spiteful little wish crossing her mind: If only the cold would do him in.

Suddenly, she remembered a day from her last life. Back then, she'd gone to find Theo; it was pouring rain and she hadn't brought an umbrella. She called him, "Theo, can you come pick me up?"

Instead of Theo, she got Hastings on the line, his voice bristling with annoyance. "It's Kali's birthday. You won't die if you get a little wet, stop being so dramatic." He hung up before she could say another word.

As Theo's friend, Hastings had always looked down on her, never missing a chance to humiliate her.

she decided, she'd make sure Hastings got a taste of humiliation himself. Slowly, carefully-she'd make

the agreed-upon time approached, Citrine showed no sign

Hastings a message: "Hold on, I'll be down a bit

"That's fine,

little puppy, she thought, her

and played with Happy a while

casual clothes-no makeup, not even a glance in the mirror-

in the icy rain for almost an hour in just a T-

beginning to wonder if Citrine intended to stand him up when

soft, lilting like the first breeze of spring. He turned, and the irritation he'd felt instantly vanished at

shifted the umbrella to shelter her, then

a little under the weather," Citrine replied,

of impatience, felt a pang of guilt. "Do

she could respond, he leaned in and pressed his cold

jerked away, a flash of undisguised loathing in her eyes- though she

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