The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Citrine moved through the water with the grace of a mermaid-effortless, radiant, and completely at home beneath the waves.

Behind her, Sebastian couldn't hide the awe in his eyes as he watched her glide through the blue expanse. For once, he didn't even have to try to conceal how captivated he was.

The world under the sea was dazzling. Vivid coral formations, seashells glinting in the filtered sunlight, and creatures in every color imaginable-these were sights the land could never offer.

Citrine was bubbling with excitement, eager to share her joy with someone else. When she surfaced near Sebastian, she beckoned him over with a playful wave of her hand.

He swam to her side without hesitation.

She pointed at a cluster of brilliant coral, her eyes crinkling with delight as she looked at him. In that moment, Sebastian seemed to feel her happiness as if it were his own.

Then a school of colorful fish darted by, scattering rainbows through the water. Citrine's eyes sparkled. She slipped the waterproof camera from around her neck and handed it to Sebastian, forming a picture frame with her fingers to show what she wanted.

Sebastian understood instantly and flashed her an OK sign.

With a quick smile, Citrine turned and swam toward the swirling fish, her slender form cutting gracefully through the water.

Sebastian's gaze softened, and he raised the camera to capture her-preserving that perfect, breathtaking moment forever.

fish like a mermaid born of the deep, beautiful enough to steal the breath from his

pictures, even switching to video to record her laughter and

taken enough, Citrine took the camera and insisted on getting some shots of Sebastian,

struck, Sebastian was happy to

surface and saw them together. The way they moved so close, so natural-left no doubt. They looked just like any

hot and sharp. Anger thudded

his temper overriding all sense. Without warning, he grabbed Sebastian and yanked him away from Citrine with a

she shot Hastings a

clear how she

need to guess; he could

off to the side, miming that

dived in these waters before, years ago, so he knew

reaching out as if to wrap an

darkened; anger flashed in his eyes. He swam to Citrine's side, placing himself between her and

Hastings had never liked

was already a thorn