The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Seeing that Hastings was acting strangely, Citrine grew anxious something might go wrong. She turned, signaling to Sebastian, "Let's head back."

Sebastian glanced at Hastings, then nodded at Citrine.

"Come on," she signed again.

Without another look at Hastings, Citrine swam upward, steady and determined. Sebastian followed right behind her.

The two of them treated Hastings as if he didn't exist, not sparing him even a glance.

Watching their silhouettes rise toward the surface together, Hastings' expression darkened, his face twisted with resentment.

He had come all the way down here just to find her, and yet she couldn't even be bothered to look his way. All she saw was Sebastian.

A heavy, burning anger settled in Hastings' gut, drowning out all reason.

Suddenly, he surged upward, eyes locked fiercely on Sebastian.

Sebastian, focused on keeping up with Citrine, didn't notice anything amiss-until a sharp pain clamped around his ankle. In an instant, he was yanked downward, plunging toward the ocean floor.

bloom inside him. A trace

Citrine sensed something was wrong.

Sebastian's limp form drifting

into her throat. Without hesitation, she spun

her intent, spread his arms out,

sharply, "Don't go. He'll make it up on

wanted to teach Sebastian a lesson-he

wasn't that fragile, he

stared him down, face grim, and slipped past him with

floor, Sebastian was motionless, his eyes closed, not a hint of movement left

her as she pulled him upright-and noticed, with horror, that his oxygen

no time to think. Instinct took over. Citrine immediately unfastened her own oxygen tank, shoving it and her gear onto

with shock. His fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white All he could do was watch helplessly as the woman

cold words before had sliced him like

out, so the moment

eyes and saw her—the flawless, beautiful face of Citrine,

gear. Realization dawned as