The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 612

"Prepared? Prepared for what? What are you talking about? I don't understand!" Hilda grabbed Nathanael by the collar, her eyes red and brimming with tears that spilled down her cheeks uncontrollably.

Nathanael could tell Hilda understood all too well. He knew just how heartbroken she was, so he only gently pried her trembling hands from his shirt. He didn't have the heart to say those two cruel words out loud.

Weston, overhearing this, nearly fainted from shock.

Travis couldn't handle it either. The teenager bolted from the room, finding somewhere to sob in secret.

Manley was stunned by how things had unfolded and was racked with guilt.

He spotted Raymond sitting on a bench, looking utterly empty-like a puppet with all the strings cut. Manley slowly walked over and took a seat beside him.

acknowledge Manley's presence. Out of nowhere, Manley spoke. "I'm sorry." His

this had happened any other day, Raymond would have been shocked-his proud, stubborn little brother, always at odds with him, suddenly apologizing? He'd have made a biting retort just to keep the upper hand. But now, Raymond couldn't muster the energy to care, or the interest to

pressed on. "You've always wondered why I care about Citrine. Why I treat her the way I

went on,

attention. For the first time, his eyes flickered with life as he turned to look at

I was abroad on business. That's when I met Citrine She'd clearly been through hell-she was skin and bones, eyes darting with suspicion, like some half-wild animal. The first time we met, she was so hungry she tried to steal some bread from a bakery, but the owner caught her

cared for Travis and she got along instantly, and I

the next morning, she was S gone-vanished

After

were