The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 687

Hearing Sebastian's words, Citrine felt a jolt inside her, her heart skipping almost imperceptibly.

"Your mother... is she...?" she asked hesitantly.

Sebastian pressed his lips together, forcing a bitter smile. "She's gone."

"I'm sorry," Citrine murmured, her gaze dropping to the floor. It took her a long moment to find her voice.

A wave of regret washed over her. She realized she shouldn't have been so impulsive—his mother was clearly a wound that hadn't healed.

She was aware of her own manipulation, just as she knew that, in the beginning, Sebastian had approached her with his own agenda. In truth, she had no right to question him.

Sebastian hadn't expected her apology. He quickly composed himself, managing a smile. “You don't have to apologize. I was the one who approached you with an ulterior motive."

That guilt had weighed on him ever since. So even after he realized she was using his feelings, he'd accepted it, almost willingly.

Citrine had thought her heart was hardened enough, but hearing the real reason Sebastian first sought her out, she felt herself relent.

If she'd never learned the truth, perhaps she could have continued exploiting his affection without remorse-after all, he hadn't been innocent either.

save his mother. Now she couldn't find it in herself to

long silence, Citrine finally spoke, her

used

came from the deepest part

but with a strange unease

his mouth, trying to reply, but before he could say anything, Citrine spoke

Sebastian's expression darkened instantly.

do you mean? Are

had never imagined he'd see the day when he'd actually

watched him for a long moment, her tone sincere. "I recruited you to CICI Group for my own reasons. When I invited you, took advantage of your feelings, and because you had your own motives, I never felt guilty about any of it. But now that I know you did it all for your mother,

calm as her eyes

Group is about to

where you

now."

was momentarily at a loss. A wave of fear crashed

him almost breathless.

managed a strained smile.

looked up at him,