The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

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.

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

approached, Citrine showed no sign

up her phone and sent Hastings a message: "Hold on, I'll

replied instantly: "That's

her lips curling

aside and played with Happy a while longer. Nearly an hour slipped by before Citrine finally stood

some casual clothes-no makeup, not even a glance in the mirror- and strolled to the elevator, taking

an hour in just a T- shirt

to wonder if Citrine intended to stand him up when

first breeze of spring. He turned,

to shelter her, then asked,

I'm a little under the weather," Citrine replied, giving a faint cough and feigning

felt a pang of guilt. "Do you

he leaned in and pressed his cold hand to

loathing in her