The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 398

Travis yelped in pain, "Let go, let go, Grandpa... you're going to rip my ear off!"

But after a moment, he got used to the stinging pain.

Meanwhile, Citrine was nibbling on a little cupcake. She only realized, as Travis walked into the room, that she'd completely forgotten about her brother.

Her head drooped, a wave of guilt washing over her.

Travis, who knew his sister almost inside out after all these years, immediately noticed the subtle shift in her expression. He could guess, just from the way she looked, that she was beating herself up for forgetting him.

He strolled over, ruffled her hair, and grinned, "What's with the guilt? It's not like anything was your fault. So you got a little distracted by dessert-who can blame you for having a sweet tooth?"

Citrine had been feeling genuinely remorseful, but at his last remark, she couldn't help herself-she burst out laughing.

Later that afternoon, after lunch, Citrine was about to head home when Raymond asked her to stay.

Carmichaels, sensing that father and daughter needed a moment alone, quietly made themselves

of them left. Raymond was the first to break the awkward

asked, "Citrine, did I do something wrong? Ever since you started college, it feels like you've been pulling away—not just from me, but from the

before answering, her voice cool and even. "I

be a new woman in the house-new children, a new family. Eventually, she'd just be left behind, discarded, the same way

learned last

we met, aren't you? Because I refused to accept you as my daughter?" "No. I've never blamed you for that," Citrine said, her lips tightening. She was

resisted-he'd never even known she existed. Suddenly discovering you have a daughter? Who wouldn't be thrown off? Raymond's voice was raw as he stared at his

it too. Ever since she'd started spending more time with the Carmichaels, she'd realized how

back under control, but

exactly a good person. I put on a show for everyone. The version of me you see? It's not the real me. If you ever saw the

lips twitched into a small, unwavering smile. "You're my daughter,

a pause, she spoke again, more serious this time. "There's something I have to do soon. If

could even put