The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 618

More than shock, he was confused. He pressed again, "But after all these years, why didn't you ever acknowledge him?"

Citrine gave a wry smile. "I'm not exactly the kind of daughter anyone would want. I doubt he'd care for me—after all, even Sawyer can't stand me. I figured it was better not to bother him."

She hesitated, then added, "Besides, everyone I've ever cared about once they met Jeanette, they all ended up liking her instead. I can't bear the thought of even my own father choosing her over me."

Raymond gave a bitter laugh. In truth, the only one he cared about was his daughter—he would never choose Jeanette.

At that moment, something occurred to Nathanael. He turned abruptly to Citrine. "Chairwoman, is that why-two years ago, when Raymond's accident damaged his heart-you agreed to let him into the research center? And you threw yourself into developing the artificial heart these last two years... was it all for him?"

"Not entirely," Citrine answered quietly. "I did agree to admit him to the center because he's my father. But my research into the artificial heart wasn't just for him. Part of me simply wanted to take on the project."

She was stubborn, but her heart was soft-everything Nathanael hadn't understood before now fell into place.

He pressed his lips together, then forced out the words, "You're planning to give him your own heart, to test the artificial heart on yourself... mostly because you want to save him, aren't you?"

nodded. "Yes. I

him, despises him, wishes he would just disappear. But he's my father. He doesn't know

to keep me here. He, though he still wants to survive. If he lives on with

all she could. Nathanael realized there was no point trying to change

streaming down his face, his chest heaving with

father should. He had done nothing for her, and yet, just because of a title-father-Citrine was willing to give

her nothing, but in his illness, he was given everything-a second chance at life, at

He didn't deserve it.

Citrine was too selfless.

have given anything not to be her

her sacrifice herself

too late-there was

do was watch as Citrine calmly discussed the procedure with the team of