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.

his mother. Now she

finally spoke, her voice quieter than before. "I'm

have used your

the deepest part of

heart lurched-not with relief, but with a

but before he could say anything, Citrine spoke again. "You

Sebastian's expression darkened instantly.

you mean? Are you firing

see the day when he'd actually be

I invited you, took advantage of your feelings, and because you had your own motives,

pressed her lips together, her voice calm as her eyes met his. "You should go.

Group is

That's where

now."

momentarily at a loss. A wave of fear crashed over him,

him almost breathless.

managed a strained

up at