The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 664

Citrine couldn't help but laugh out loud when she heard that.

How could anyone be so full of themselves? She'd truly never seen someone quite like this before.

Hilda took a deep breath, exasperated. "Please, stop flattering yourself," she said. "Ever since Citrine went missing all those years ago, it hasn't just been you. Whenever I came across a girl around my daughter's age, no matter who she was, if she was in trouble, I'd do everything I could to help."

She paused for a moment before continuing, her voice softer. "I did all of this to build up good karma for my daughter. I just hoped that maybe, by doing so, God would watch over me and help me find her sooner."

Even now, Hilda was deeply grateful for all those things she'd done. Maybe she really had accumulated enough good will, and that's why-by some miracle— she'd finally found her Citrine.

It was the first time Citrine had ever heard any of this. Outwardly, she seemed unmoved, her expression unreadable, but her eyes reflected a storm of emotion.

mother was out there, trying to earn blessings for her in such a way. What

mother had never reunited, would her mom still be out there, seeing every bright-eyed college girl and thinking of the

of longing filled her heart with

were a tangled knot of joy, gratitude, and sorrow. Across from her, Leda seemed on the verge of breaking down as she

always been close friends! You've always treated me so well, and you even promised my mom you'd take me in as your

eyes were wide,

face. She turned hastily to her daughter, anxious to explain "Citrine, I swear, I never once agreed to take in a goddaughter. As for having another child, that was never an option. Years ago, I made a vow: whether I ever found you or not, you would be my only daughter. There would never be

would never be anyone

softly. That was exactly what

to share her parents with anyone. Their

said, raising

saw her daughter wasn't upset and seemed perfectly fine, Hilda finally breathed a long sigh of relief. The