The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 463

Raymond's gaze turned frosty. "So what if you're Citrine's biological mother? What right do you have to take her back now?"

His tone dripped with sarcasm. "You were the one who abandoned her. After all these years, you suddenly remember you have a daughter? Do you really think you've done your duty as a mother?"

Hilda glared at Raymond, her voice trembling with emotion. "I didn't abandon her. Never. I've been searching for her all these years I never stopped."

How could she ever abandon her child? Even before Citrine was born, Hilda had prayed for her safe arrival. Citrine was her precious little girl, the one she'd waited for.

Raymond's hostility faded as the truth settled in-Citrine hadn't been abandoned after all.

Still, it was clear Hilda was determined to bring Citrine back to the Saunders family.

Raymond wasn't sure how his daughter felt about her mother. But really, what child could truly turn their back on their own birth mother?

A fresh wave of anxiety washed over him.

Citrine had only just returned to the Carmichael family a little over a year ago. He hadn't even had much time with her, and she was already an adult.

Now her mother had come for her. If Citrine really did go back with Hilda to the Saunders family, the time he'd have with his daughter would shrink to almost nothing.

fell silent for a moment,

and gave a small, bitter nod. "She knew before

had already discovered her true identity-and wanted nothing to

doesn't want to acknowledge you,

froze, staring at him,

been almost two years. She still hasn't called

bitter chuckle. "She hasn't ever really accepted

smart—almost too smart-but she's guarded. There's a wall around her heart, and she won't let anyone in. She keeps everyone out, and she doesn't want

as a broken doll, her heart battered and scarred.

Raymond, Hilda asked softly, "You... you really

a faint smile. "Maybe not completely.

darkened. She glared at Raymond, but

right. Compared to

tension between them grew, the silence

and wants to go back to the Saunders family, I'll respect her decision. But if

the right to

her own person now."