The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 585

As soon as Hilda stepped into the Carmichael home, she couldn't help but search the crowd for that one familiar face she longed to see.

Raymond caught the look in her eyes right away. "Citrine's out back, grilling with her friends."

Hilda hesitated, asking softly, "Would it be alright if I joined them?"

"Of course."

With Raymond's reassuring nod, Hilda led Monica and Wade toward the backyard.

They had barely reached the patio when Hilda heard her daughter's laughter. "Big bro, that's delicious! Make me another skewer!"

Citrine sounded so relaxed, so lighthearted-so different from how she usually acted around the adults. There was a spark in her eyes that Hilda hadn't seen in a long time.

Hilda glanced at Travis with a tinge of envy.

Travis was the quintessential doting big brother; when his sister asked for food, he beamed with pride and immediately set to grilling more meat for her.

Monica and Wade watched the little scene unfold, both feeling a pang of jealousy. Weren't they Citrine's siblings too? And yet, somehow, Travis was the one she always turned to.

huffed, narrowing his eyes at Travis. "Why does he get to be the big brother she calls for? I'm her brother too, but Citrine's never called me 'big bro' even

muttered, glaring at Travis. "It's just some grilled meat-big deal. I can do that

to prove himself, Wade marched over to Travis, drawing surprised looks

was startled to see Wade,

Hilda's eyes shimmered as she greeted her daughter, her

nineteenth, Citrine!"

handed Citrine

in, "And

said politely, setting the gifts aside and gesturing for them to join her. “Come on, sit

Monica exchanged delighted glances and settled

lnet

course I'm here for your birthday, Citrine. What kind of big

if

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lucky for you, I happen to be pretty

of "big brother,"

think you are? Citrine's never

back, stung by the truth. He snatched the