The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 765

Hilda's eyes were red as she shook her head. "No. Absolutely not. I won't let you go."

Herschel and Inez Saunders exchanged a glance, both struggling to keep their composure.

They knew all too well just how dangerous Mirage Cay was. Of course, neither of them wanted their granddaughter anywhere near the place. But after all these years, they understood her stubborn streak better than anyone.

Once Citrine made up her mind, no one could change it—not even them.

"Mom..." Citrine tried to reason with Hilda.

But Hilda cut her off before she could finish. "Citrine, there's no way I'm agreeing to this. I just found you again—how could I possibly let you walk into a lion's den like Mirage Cay? Just thinking about what happened to you there, even in my nightmares, breaks my heart. If I could, I'd take your place in a heartbeat. There's no way I'll let you risk yourself again."

She knew, of course, that Raymond was Citrine's father, and how deeply her daughter cared for him.

After a moment, Hilda took a deep breath. "Citrine, please listen to me. Stay home. I'll go to Mirage Cay myself."

in her daughter's eyes, Hilda pressed on, her voice softer but determined. "Don't worry. I promise, I'll do everything I

was born out of fear for her safety. But how could she possibly let her mother face that danger alone? The thought of both her and Raymond trapped on

don't know the rules there, or how to get around-it has to be me. If there's even

was resolute. "No. That's final. Citrine, you need

rarely ever putting her foot down. This was the first time she'd been

clear, Hilda shot a pointed look at Monica and Wade Saunders, her gaze carrying

an eye on Citrine. Don't let her leave

argument. Monica and Wade flinched, then hurried

Aunt Hilda. We'll make sure Citrine

Hilda's wrath that made them so quick to comply they genuinely didn't want their sister risking herself on

and Wade glanced at each other, both recalling the formidable aunt from their childhood a force to be reckoned with. The memory sent a chill down their

in the

unreadable, giving nothing away.

she made a call