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.

a glare and hissed, "Why would you say that? Do you want to

instantly shut up, rubbing his arm

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 lost it because she

sometimes, and yeah, she's got a heavy hand. But

be an easy person, and maybe she isn't the world's best aunt, but she is, without a doubt, the best mother anyone

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

never say these things out loud—someone had to

eyes grew colder, her

to accept the Saunders family.

so much hope and love. We

only in her early twenties. The moment she knew she wasn't scared-she was thrilled. She told the whole

was stunned.