The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 602

With guilt weighing on his conscience, Manley said softly, "Citrine, I should have recognized you sooner. I'm so sorry."

He looked her in the eyes. "Do it, Citrine. Pull the trigger if you have to. I won't blame you. In fact, I'd be glad—if it means you survive, that's all that matters to me."

Maybe the others didn't quite understand what Manley was saying, but Citrine did. When she'd first escaped from Mirage Cay and fled overseas, her days were filled with fear and hiding, barely scraping by, never knowing where her next meal would come from. She still remembered the day she was caught stealing bread from a café-Manley was the one who'd saved her then.

The memory made her eyes sting as she looked around at everyone.

Weston spoke up as well. "Citrine, it's the Carmichael family who owes you an apology. And I owe you one most of all. When you first returned, I should've treated you better. I was wrong, and I'm sorry for it."

He shot a contemptuous glare at Talbot, but when he turned to Citrine, his expression softened, full of grandfatherly affection. "Listen, sweetheart, I've lived long enough-more than enough, really. My life isn't worth much anymore. If trading it could keep my granddaughter alive, I'd do it without a second thought. So, kiddo, don't hesitate."

blood ran strong in his veins-

as you're alive, Citrine, that's all I care about,"

feet and snarled, "Come on, old man-if you

Carmichaels stood united-there wasn't a single hint of

expected to see the family turn on each other, but instead he found them unbreakably loyal.

Talbot sneered, "Well, well. I never thought I'd see such ironclad resolve from

I'm not

eat its own cub, but you'd let your boy die for your niece? That's cold. Anyone watching

a blatant attempt to sow discord, but the Carmichaels weren't so easily

"Travis is my grandson, yes, and a Carmichael through and through. Of course I don't want to see him die, but I'd