The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 444

"Yeah." Hilda nodded.

She eased herself down onto the couch.

But just then, a flash of gray darted out from under the coffee table.

Hilda froze as she locked eyes with a cat perched on the sofa; panic surged through her, and she screamed, leaping to her feet and scrambling to the far side of the room.

Citrine was filling a glass of water in the kitchen when she heard the commotion in the living room. She rushed over, only to see her Maine Coon arching its back and hissing at Hilda from the couch.

Citrine couldn't help but laugh, both amused and exasperated. She never would have guessed Hilda was afraid of cats, but seeing how shaken she was, Citrine quickly crossed the room and gently patted Hilda's back to calm her. "Don't worry —it's just my cat. He doesn't bite, I promise."

"He loves sneaking up on people for fun. Pulls this little prank on me all the time. I'm really sorry he startled you."

Turning to the cat, Citrine's tone grew a shade firmer. "Happy, that's not nice. Apologize."

To Hilda's amazement, the Maine Coon immediately sat up straight on the sofa, raised both paws, and made a gesture that looked suspiciously like a little bow.

the cat to actually understand. For a

of videos about communicating

motion. Though Happy looked a bit put out, he obediently wiggled his

cat was gone, Hilda's nerves

wave of regret washed over her. She wondered if her panicked outburst

the incident at all,

the couch, half-watching the TV, until finally, Hilda broke

that she'd only moved back

said, a trace

with a calm, almost indifferent expression. "We're...

face clouded with

asked abruptly, "If you care so

naive.

Hilda's feelings for her-the affection was obvious.

why, years ago,

had given her up.

They each knew who the