The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 801

After searching for a while, Hilda finally found a small box tucked beneath her daughter's desk.

She opened it with trembling hands, carefully peeling back the lid. Sure enough, inside she found a stack of letters.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Hilda sifted through them until she found the envelope with her name on it.

She tore it open, heart pounding.

Mom,

I love you.

When I realized that you loved me just as I'd always hoped, I was so happy. I know you've felt guilty ever since I went missing, but try to see it from my perspective—if I made a terrible mistake and broke your heart, what would you do? I think, knowing you, you'd tell me there isn't a mother on earth who would truly blame her child or stay angry for long. And I want you to know, there isn't a daughter in this world who could ever truly stay angry with her mom, either.

I know you're upset that I insisted on going to Mirage Cay to find Dad. I'm sorry-I didn't mean to hurt you. But this is something I have to do. I spent a lot of time at Mirage Cay and know it better than anyone. And as the head of the Vermillion Vanguard, I've spent years investigating what's been happening there. Now, when it's finally time to act, I have to go.

Mom, I hope you'll understand.

I don't know how long I'll be gone. I thought about what I could leave you, but honestly, you have everything you need.

If I don't make it back, just think of me as a wayward daughter and let me go. Live your life, start over.

The world is a big place. You'll meet people who love you. Maybe you'll even have another sweet daughter one day. You'll be happy, I promise.

"What a silly girl... How could I ever be happy without you? And anyway, you're the only daughter I'll ever need," Hilda muttered through a choked sob, her eyes stinging as tears streamed down her cheeks.

She quickly wiped her face, took a few deep breaths to steady herself, then gathered up the rest of the letters and headed downstairs.

eyes were still red and puffy-

the other letters on the table and sank into the sofa, staring

Saunders family wasted no time finding their

a letter to each of them. She'd also left a set of

no one

could write in a day or two. It meant

couple finished reading their

and Wade Saunders had received

these past few months. You're a wonderful brother, and I've loved every moment we've

hope you'll finally put your racing team together

for

a folder. He flipped it open and,

was.

he'd ever had-things he'd never even thought to ask. Wade's eyes grew

world, everyone had written him off as a good-for-nothing. Only Citrine had ever believed in him-really

his little sister be so good to

er

quieter and more reserved, loved her sister just as much, though she could never match Wade's boisterous affection

Secretly, Monica worried

a letter of her

she found one,

read it, her

for a sister more times than I can count. I

actually

looked out for me, made me feel the warmth I'd missed for