The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress novel Chapter 398

Travis yelped in pain, “Let go, let go, Grandpa... you’re going to rip my ear off!”

But after a moment, he got used to the stinging pain.

Meanwhile, Citrine was nibbling on a little cupcake. She only realized, as Travis walked into the room, that she’d completely forgotten about her brother.

Her head drooped, a wave of guilt washing over her.

Travis, who knew his sister almost inside out after all these years, immediately noticed the subtle shift in her expression. He could guess, just from the way she looked, that she was beating herself up for forgetting him.

He strolled over, ruffled her hair, and grinned, “What’s with the guilt? It’s not like anything was your fault. So you got a little distracted by dessert—who can blame you for having a sweet tooth?”

Citrine had been feeling genuinely remorseful, but at his last remark, she couldn’t help herself—she burst out laughing.

Later that afternoon, after lunch, Citrine was about to head home when Raymond asked her to stay.

The Carmichaels, sensing that father and daughter needed a moment alone, quietly made themselves scarce.

Suddenly, the enormous living room felt cavernous, just the two of them left.

Raymond was the first to break the awkward silence.

Carefully, almost hesitantly, he asked, “Citrine, did I do something wrong? Ever since you started college, it feels like you’ve been pulling away—not just from me, but from the whole Carmichael family.”

Citrine pressed her lips together before answering, her voice cool and even. “I told you before—after I turned eighteen, I would leave the Carmichael family.”

To Citrine, it was only practical. Raymond was single now, but someday there would be a new woman in the house—new children, a new family. Eventually, she’d just be left behind, discarded, the same way she’d been cast aside by the Iversons.

Silently, she reminded herself: Citrine, don’t forget the lesson you learned last time—never expect too much, and know when to walk away.

Citrine was taken aback. After a pause, she spoke again, more serious this time. “There’s something I have to do soon. If I stay with the Carmichaels, I might drag all of you into it.”

She hesitated, then added quietly, “It could even put your lives at risk.”

Raymond gazed at her, remembering the nightmares he’d had about everything she’d been through. His eyes glistened. “We Carmichaels stick together. Whatever happens, we face it as a family. I’m not afraid.”

Whatever his daughter was planning, he would support her. This time, he was determined to protect her, no matter what.

Citrine had expected him to back away after hearing how dangerous things could get. She was surprised he didn’t flinch.

A sly smile crept across her face.

“Alright, Raymond—if you want me to stay close to the Carmichaels, I have one condition.”