The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 464

Hilda stared wide-eyed at Raymond, her gaze fixed and unblinking. Before she could even process what he'd said, Raymond continued, "Hilda, you don't actually believe Citrine lived a privileged, carefree life all these years as the Iversons' adopted daughter, do you?"

A heavy weight dropped in Hilda's chest.

Wasn't that the case?

But hearing Raymond's words now, a terrifying suspicion crept into her mind-one she didn't dare pursue.

Raymond watched her reaction and let out a cold, bitter laugh. "Citrine's life with the Iversons was a living hell. Every single day under their roof was torture for her."

"You probably don't know this, but when she was eleven, the Iversons sent her away to Mirage Cay."

Just mentioning it made Raymond's heart ache unbearably. The memory of the dream where he'd seen his daughter's suffering unspeakable cruelty-made him want to tear the whole world apart.

Hilda's eyes flew open, a chill instantly dulling their light. She stared at Raymond in shock. "The Iversons... sent Citrine to Mirage Cay?" Her voice trembled so much she could barely get the words out.

"How could those monsters do that?" she demanded, her voice low and shaking, eyes turning red with fury.

of place Mirage Cay was. No one ever came back from there. Years ago, there were reports-leaked videos of people being snatched away by the island's inhabitants. One news story had shown a victim who'd been mutilated beyond recognition, their body reduced to little more than a head. The

a year later when he brought home another woman and a child. Suddenly Citrine became invisible-blamed for things she didn't do, denied even a simple meal. Yet through

Citrine never to trust in family again. He shattered any belief she had that

How dare they.

my daughter, the Iversons deserve to rot," Hilda snarled through clenched teeth, eyes blazing

as the words left her lips, her

she wouldn't have suffered

be happy

until this visit, Hilda had resented

now did she understand how much Raymond truly

knew her. He worried

Hilda—she'd known nothing. She didn't deserve

you for telling

Hilda realized she couldn't stay a moment

She all but fled.

the