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.

affection to Theo, chasing after someone who would never return it. The ache in

looked for all the world like an obedient schoolboy waiting

and

down. You're too tall-I can't

confusion, but since it was Citrine asking, he did as

what she was up to, Citrine looped her scarf gently, but firmly, around his neck, wrapping it snug and warm. The fabric still carried her warmth, and Sebastian

out of your mind? Did

but Sebastian's heart felt

at her. "I wouldn't

half amused. "Still arguing? Good thing I came down when I did. What

answer, just

the answer on his

pausing for a beat. How had she never noticed just how hopelessly

her gaze, eyes burning with

midnight struck, fireworks exploded all across Crestwood. The lights from the city center arced high into the sky, their villa neighborhood offering a perfect

the night, and the one she loved stood

open like

clear. "I don't

almost thought

at her, eyes shining, desperate for confirmation. But Citrine, ever the

you didn't hear? Never mind then," she said,

joy. Afraid she might take it

but laugh out