The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress novel Chapter 693

Things were different now. The Glenwood family had fallen from grace, and Hastings Cooper was hopelessly bewitched by that vixen Citrine Carmichael. Kali realized Quentin was the only person left she could truly rely on.

She flashed Quentin a sweet, ingratiating smile. “Quentin, I forgive you.”

It was only after she spoke that Kali noticed how, more and more, she’d started trying to please Quentin—sometimes without even realizing it.

But it hadn’t always been this way. In the past, it was Quentin who’d always tried to win her over.

Kali pressed her lips together, forcing down a wave of emotion.

She mustered a big, cheerful grin. “Quentin, have you forgotten your injury?”

She held up the first aid kit she’d brought, shaking it in front of him.

“I’m here to patch you up,” Kali said.

Without waiting for his response, she perched on the edge of Quentin’s bed. She patted the mattress beside her and called, putting on a playful, high-pitched voice, “Come here, Quentin, let me take care of that wound.”

Something about this felt strange to Quentin, though he couldn’t quite put his finger on it. Still, seeing Kali’s hopeful expression, he couldn’t bring himself to refuse. He crossed the room and sat beside her.

Kali’s lips curled into a triumphant little smile. In the next instant, she reached out and tried to undo the sash of his robe.

But just as her hands touched the fabric, Quentin’s expression darkened. “Don’t.”

He caught her wrists, stopping her, then abruptly stood and put distance between them.

Kali stared at him, putting on a look of teary gratitude. “Thank you, Quentin. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.”

She looked like she might burst into tears any second, and Quentin rushed to comfort her. “You don’t have to repay me. We grew up together—you’re like a little sister to me.”

At that, something flickered in Kali’s eyes. Sister?

Didn’t he like her? How had she suddenly been relegated to “little sister”?

No, that wouldn’t do. Hastings was already under Citrine’s spell, which meant Quentin was all she had left. He’d always liked her—maybe he was a little careless, not as steadfast as Hastings, but he was the sole heir of the Aldridge family. Everything would be his one day.

Quentin was her best option. There was no way she’d let him go.