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.

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 her chest was sharp, but it faded as quickly as it

like an obedient schoolboy waiting for approval. Citrine couldn't help but smile at the

scarf from her neck and took a few

too tall-I can't

confusion, but since it was Citrine asking, he did as told, lowering himself so she could look him

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

over him, muttering, "Honestly, are you out of your mind? Did you want

were sharp, but Sebastian's heart felt

her.

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

just looked at

his face-he absolutely would have waited all

a beat. How had

met her gaze, eyes burning with sincerity, and said, "I just really wanted

lights from the city center arced high into the sky,

the one

like the fireworks above-brilliant,

to do?" she said, voice soft but clear. "I

almost thought he'd

for confirmation. But Citrine, ever the tease,

Never mind then," she said, putting on a

lottery, Sebastian's face lit up with joy. Afraid she might

couldn't help but laugh