The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 642

"Thank you, Grandpa," Citrine said politely.

Watching Herschel and his granddaughter chatting away for so long, Inez couldn't help feeling a twinge of jealousy. "Alright, it's time to save the family reunion for when Citrine's feeling better. For now, let me show you the bedroom I've prepared for you, Citrine."

She smiled. “Would you like Grandma to take you upstairs to see your room?"

"Yes, please." Citrine's lips curved in a gentle smile as she rose from the sofa. Herschel blinked in disbelief. Wasn't it supposed to be their bedroom for Citrine, set up together? When did it become just Inez's project?

Hilda followed Inez upstairs. The moment she saw the room prepared for her daughter, she froze in surprise.

This had once been her parents' master bedroom-the biggest room in the old house, with the best views. She'd never expected her parents would give up their own room so Citrine could have it.

Even Citrine paused in the doorway. She'd noticed from outside that this was the sunniest, most enviable room in the entire villa.

And inside, the furniture and décor were all in the modern style young people loved-though here and there, some quirky, old-fashioned touches peeked through, a little out of step with current trends. But Citrine could feel the care behind it all; it was obvious her grandparents had decorated the place themselves, just for her, before she arrived.

She turned, about to say something, when she caught sight, quite by accident, of the red mark on Inez's palm. Citrine pressed her lips together, a wave of bittersweet emotion rising in her chest.

say anything for a while, Inez asked, softly and a little anxiously, "Citrine, do you like

pretending to be pleased, Inez hurried to add, "If

and affection in her grandmother's words touched Citrine deeply. She smiled. "I

hear." Inez beamed, her spirits instantly lifted

mood was warm and joyful. Down the hall, Monica and Wade retreated to their bedroom-and felt as if the

greeted them left both in

furniture and prized decorations had vanished, replaced by the family's cast-off, outdated

a shrill screech echoed from the other side of

"Ahhh!"

hysterical at the

commotion and dashed over to Wade's room. "What's with the yelling?

someone break in? All my model cars are

and realized Wade's room, too, had been stripped and replaced with the same ancient furniture and questionable décoras hers. It was

had been ransacked

truly

she realized both rooms now