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.

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

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

her neck and took a few steps closer

down. You're too tall-I

Citrine asking, he did

as he was about to ask 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 felt cocooned-his whole body went stiff

are you out of your mind? Did

Sebastian's heart felt anything

her. "I wouldn't

down when I did. What if I

answer, just looked at

read the answer on his face-he absolutely would

such an idiot." Citrine shook her head, pausing for a beat. How had she never noticed

eyes burning with sincerity, and said, "I just

fireworks exploded all across Crestwood. The lights from the city center arced

blossomed in the night, and the one she loved stood right

burst open like the fireworks

clear. "I don't want to

Sebastian almost thought he'd

at her, eyes shining, desperate for

didn't hear? Never mind then," she

just won the lottery, Sebastian's face lit up with joy.

but