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.

father and daughter needed

of them left. Raymond was the first to

"Citrine, did I do something wrong? Ever since you started college,

cool and even. "I told you before—after I turned

Raymond was single now, but someday there would be a new woman in the house-new children, a new family. Eventually, she'd just be left behind, discarded,

forget the lesson you learned last time-never expect too much,

still upset about that first day we met, aren't you? Because I refused to accept you as my daughter?"

Suddenly discovering you have a daughter? Who wouldn't be thrown off? Raymond's voice was raw as he stared at his daughter's impassive face. "Please, just tell me

and Citrine felt it too. Ever since she'd started spending

to get herself back under control, but she hated how much

a show for everyone. The version of me you see? It's not the real me.

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

After a pause, she spoke again, more serious this time. "There's something I have to do soon. If I stay with the Carmichaels, I might drag all

hesitated, then added quietly, "It could even put your lives