The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 626

All of this proved beyond a doubt-Citrine really had been given another chance at life.

Which meant everything Raymond said was true.

"It's my fault, all of it. If it weren't for that dream, I might never have realized just how much my daughter suffered." Hilda's voice trembled, her heart torn between guilt and aching sorrow.

Raymond glanced at her, his expression gentle but restrained. In the end, he shared what Citrine had asked him to say: "Hilda, when Citrine was in the ambulance, she called out for you-she called you 'Mom.' She asked me to tell you... she never blamed you. Not once."

Hilda's eyes were already red, but now, at his words, they brimmed over with tears.

Raymond could tell she'd heard him, so he repeated softly, "You heard me right."

"She... she really forgave me?" Hilda turned away, wiping her cheeks with a shaking hand and trying to collect herself.

Raymond paused, then said, "You never really understood Citrine, Hilda. She acted tough, but her heart was softer than anyone's. If someone showed her the slightest kindness, she'd remember it forever-she'd pay it back tenfold if she could."

"Even if she never said it out loud, she forgave you long ago. Or maybe, the moment she realized you never meant to abandon her, she stopped blaming you at all."

these years, Raymond knew Citrine's stubborn, loyal nature

was afraid you'd be left with regrets. She was afraid she would be too. That's why, in the ambulance, she made me promise to tell you this." His voice

sobbed openly, the pain from the visions

her anger steady and

could go on, Raymond interjected, his brow

stared

"I looked into everyone who ever

them. It's like they

he shared the suspicion that had

care of them herself. The couple who trafficked her, the

sure they'd never do it

both knew exactly how cruel those people had

could blame Citrine for hating them. In fact, it

twisted in grief and vengeful satisfaction. "She did the right thing. They deserved it. I never wanted

that couldn't stay bottled up forever; eventually, it had

it would destroy you