The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

From that night on, among all the homes lit up across the city, there was finally a light burning just for her. Citrine was no longer the lonely girl nobody loved.

Now, she had someone she wanted to share her life with. The emptiness inside her heart felt as if it was finally being filled.

She hurried downstairs, unable to contain her excitement. But when she saw Sebastian standing perfectly still in the foyer, her eyes stung suddenly with

emotion.

"When did you get here?" she asked.

"Not long ago," Sebastian replied. The moment he saw the woman he'd been longing for day and night, his voice came out rough and raw.

"Not long? How long is 'not long'?" Citrine eyed the red flush on his cheeks and the tips of his ears, both chapped from the cold. Clearly, she didn't buy his

answer.

Sebastian looked at her with a gentle gaze, unable to look away. "Three hours."

"Three hours?" Citrine was stunned.

"Why didn't you call me?" she demanded. "Standing outside in this freezing weather for three hours-are you made of stone or just plain thick?"

Was this man an idiot?

That thought barely finished in her mind before Sebastian looked at her, eyes shining. "You were with your family. I didn't want to disturb you."

His voice was so soft and warm, and the way he looked at her made her feel like she was the center of his world.

time she'd met someone this foolishly sincere. It reminded her, just for a moment, of her younger self-how she used to give all her affection to Theo, chasing after someone who would never return it. The ache in

looked for all the world like an obedient

and took a few

down. You're too

did as told, lowering himself so she could look

scarf gently, but firmly, around his neck, wrapping it snug and warm. The fabric still carried her warmth, and Sebastian felt

"Honestly, are you out of your mind? Did

but Sebastian's heart

smiled at her.

arguing? Good thing I came down when I did. What if I

didn't answer, just looked at

on his face-he absolutely would have waited

idiot." Citrine shook her head, pausing for a beat. How had

to respond, but suddenly Sebastian met her gaze, eyes burning

city center arced high into

the night, and the one she loved stood right before

moment, Citrine's heart burst open like the fireworks above-brilliant,

to do?" she said, voice soft but clear. "I don't want to admit it, but I

almost thought

eyes shining, desperate for confirmation. But Citrine, ever the tease,

then," she said, putting on a

the lottery, Sebastian's face lit up with joy. Afraid she might take it back, he quickly blurted, "No,

help but laugh