The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 677

Citrine understood what Herschel was thinking, but she didn't agree.

She shook her head. “Grandpa, I think Uncle Nigel would rather know that you all love him than see you blame yourselves. Don't you agree?"

It hit Herschel like a thunderclap.

Of course. Compared to guilt, making the boy believe his family never cared for him was far crueler.

He'd been so wrong. All these years, he'd gotten it all wrong.

The realization washed over him. He let out a long, heavy sigh. "Citrine, I must be getting senile. You're right. It's not the guilt that hurts most-it's letting him think we never loved him. That's what's truly cruel."

Citrine smiled warmly at him. "Grandpa, it's not too late. Right now is the best time to set things right."

Herschel's mind cleared; a sense of hope lifted his spirits. But then he suddenly remembered something, and his face darkened. “Even if I want to clear things up, Nigel might not even give me the chance. You probably don't know this, but today is only the second time since everything happened that Uncle Nigel has come back for a family dinner."

pack his things and to let us know he'd

every single one of us-deleted our numbers, erased all contact. He never came home.

reassure him. "Don't worry, Grandpa. If you're willing to wait, the

"Wait?" Herschel echoed, surprised.

calm. "In a month Crestwood's art gallery is hosting

world

work. This isn't just a show-there'll be judges, and one

the mention of

great about painting. He really likes

Herschel had been furious. Nigel had been a warm, cheerful young

obsession with art, and watching him waste away only made him

but laugh softly. She spoke earnestly, "Grandpa, painting is a way to express what's inside

then what?" Herschel asked,