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?"

"Yes. I want

spoke again, voice softer. "Everyone at Havencrest fears him, despises him, wishes he would just disappear. But he's my father. He doesn't know I exist, and he never loved me, but I still

have nothing left to keep me here. He, though he still wants to survive. If he lives on

no point

you can't do this." Raymond was ashen, tears streaming down his face, his

father should. He had done nothing for her, and yet, just

given her nothing, but in his illness, he was given everything-a

He didn't deserve it.

Citrine was too selfless.

that moment, Raymond would have given anything not to be her father,

sacrifice herself for

now, it was too late-there was no stopping what was

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