The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 529

A flaying? Surely it won't come to that, right?

Citrine could sense both respect and a hint of fear in Monica's tone whenever she spoke of Hilda.

Trying to picture her aunt, Citrine ventured carefully, "Is your aunt really that terrifying? She never seemed harsh to me."

Her own experience with Hilda had always been gentle and kind-Citrine remembered soft words and warm smiles. What she didn't realize was that Hilda reserved that tenderness for her alone.

Wade's eyes widened in disbelief at Citrine's question. "Terrifying? That's an understatement. When Aunt Hilda loses her temper, she's downright savage."

"You have no idea, sis. I grew up under her iron rule. The worst time? She broke several of my ribs. No joke."

He was just getting into the story when Monica pinched his arm, hard.

would you say that? Do you

up, rubbing his

Hilda has a temper, sure, but she's not some unreasonable tyrant. And that business with Wade's ribs? He kept sneaking out for illegal street races, nearly got himself killed. Aunt Hilda only

further. "Honestly, our aunt is strict with us, really strict sometimes, and yeah, she's got a heavy hand. But she never punishes us out of nowhere. We're all a little

Citrine's gaze. "She might not be an easy person, and maybe she isn't the world's best aunt, but she is, without a

would never allow herself to show vulnerability in front of others. As for Citrine, though they hadn't known each other long, Monica could already sense the same stubborn streak, the same fierce

would never say these things out loud—someone had to speak for

finished, Citrine's eyes grew colder,

guarded, and she could feel Citrine's reluctance to accept the Saunders family. But some things needed to be

with so much hope and love.

her early twenties. The moment she

stunned.