The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress novel Chapter 602

With guilt weighing on his conscience, Manley said softly, “Citrine, I should have recognized you sooner. I’m so sorry.”

He looked her in the eyes. “Do it, Citrine. Pull the trigger if you have to. I won’t blame you. In fact, I’d be glad—if it means you survive, that’s all that matters to me.”

Maybe the others didn’t quite understand what Manley was saying, but Citrine did. When she’d first escaped from Mirage Cay and fled overseas, her days were filled with fear and hiding, barely scraping by, never knowing where her next meal would come from. She still remembered the day she was caught stealing bread from a café—Manley was the one who’d saved her then.

The memory made her eyes sting as she looked around at everyone.

Weston spoke up as well. “Citrine, it’s the Carmichael family who owes you an apology. And I owe you one most of all. When you first returned, I should’ve treated you better. I was wrong, and I’m sorry for it.”

He shot a contemptuous glare at Talbot, but when he turned to Citrine, his expression softened, full of grandfatherly affection. “Listen, sweetheart, I’ve lived long enough—more than enough, really. My life isn’t worth much anymore. If trading it could keep my granddaughter alive, I’d do it without a second thought. So, kiddo, don’t hesitate.”

Even though Travis was still young, Carmichael blood ran strong in his veins—fearless and unyielding.

“As long as you’re alive, Citrine, that’s all I care about,” he said, voice steady.

As he finished, Travis spat at Talbot’s feet and snarled, “Come on, old man—if you want to kill someone, kill me!”

In that moment, the Carmichaels stood united—there wasn’t a single hint of hesitation among them.

Manley didn’t even spare Talbot a glance. “Citrine is not just my son’s best friend—she’s the little sister he loves most. I care for her deeply, but I love my son too. Today, I’m proud he’s willing to protect his sister, and if it comes down to it, I’ll die with him. He’ll never face that alone.”

Travis’s chest tightened with emotion. In all his life, he’d never heard his grandfather praise him—or his father, for that matter, express any affection. He’d always thought Weston despised him, and that Manley, his reluctant father, simply didn’t care. Only now did he realize how wrong he’d been. They loved him, each in their own way—no less deeply than they loved Citrine, just quieter, weightier.

He glared furiously at Talbot. “Don’t even bother trying to turn us against each other. Let me tell you something: I’d lay down my life for my sister, no matter what. If my grandfather and my dad both asked me to do it, I’d do it without regret.”

He turned to Citrine, his voice fierce but full of love. “My sister is the best in the world. As long as she’s safe, nothing else matters to me.”