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.

"Why would you say that?

shut up, rubbing his

their aunt in Citrine's mind, hurried to explain, "Don't listen to him, Citrine. Aunt 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

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

grew solemn, meeting 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 doubt, the best mother anyone could ask

pride-how Hilda would never allow herself to show vulnerability in front of others. As for Citrine, though they hadn't known each other long,

people that proud would never say these things out loud—someone had to speak

eyes grew colder, her expression

and she could feel Citrine's reluctance to accept the

into our family with so much hope and love. We all care for you, but no one loves you

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

stunned.