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.

the photos, she looked ethereal: slender and delicate, weaving through the fish like a mermaid born of the deep, beautiful enough to steal the breath from

more pictures, even switching to video to record her

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

what pose she struck, Sebastian was happy to follow her lead,

together. The way they moved so close, so natural-left no doubt. They looked just like any couple in love, sharing

twisted inside Hastings, hot and sharp. Anger thudded in his chest,

grabbed Sebastian and yanked him away from Citrine with a force that sent Sebastian tumbling downward, struggling to

she shot Hastings a

making it clear how she

need to guess;

it off, he gestured at Citrine: pointing off to the side, miming

dived in these waters before, years ago, so he knew the reefs better than

he swam closer, reaching out as if to wrap an arm around her waist. Citrine instantly pulled

in his eyes. He swam to Citrine's side, placing

Hastings had never liked

already a