The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 818

As the clock struck midnight, ringing in the new year, Citrine was no longer a little girl without a home. From this moment on, every day was something to look

forward to.

The next morning, she was woken by the persistent buzz of her phone. Still half- asleep, she groggily rubbed her eyes and fumbled around her nightstand until her hand finally closed around her phone.

"Hello?” Her voice was thick with sleep, a raspy softness that made her sound endearingly young.

Sebastian's heart melted at the sound. His reply was gentle, warm: "Happy New Year, sweetheart."

They'd only just made things official the night before, and Citrine still couldn't quite believe she actually had a boyfriend now.

"Sebastian..." The moment she heard his familiar voice, she snapped awake.

He let out a soft, amused laugh at the way she said his name. "Hmm?"

that sent a little shiver through her. Citrine swallowed. "Happy New Year,

you get up, don't forget to open

hint of sunshine. She assumed he was just excited about the weather and didn't think much of it. Sebastian didn't explain, just let out a soft laugh. "Yeah, it's a beautiful day." They chatted a bit longer before Citrine

quick wash in the bathroom, she was about to head downstairs when something made her pause.

the sun, her spirits lifting with the morning light. Just as she was about to turn

window open, grabbed the

stack of crisp bills, so full the envelope nearly burst. On

hope my

or a demand for her love. From beginning to end, he'd only

a moment, Citrine couldn't quite name what she was feeling. Her heart hammered so hard in her chest it felt

the chat labeled "Hubby [heart]"-a nickname Sebastian had stubbornly set himself just a few days

contact name, Citrine couldn't help but smile, biting back a laugh as she typed

did you get up here? This is

was

a man of many talents, scaling