The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress (Citrine) novel Chapter 362

He’d even sent Citrine overseas because of this.

The Iverson brothers were both staring intently at Alicia, waiting for her to speak.

Thinking back to what had happened, Alicia’s face twisted with pain. It took all her strength to get the words out. “I lied. Back then, everyone knew Jeanette was the Iversons’ real daughter, and Citrine was adopted. No one in the family really cared about her. Aline and my parents had already made up their minds together.”

She let out a heavy sigh. “It was my mom and dad who forced me to point the finger at Citrine.”

“Citrine lost her hearing in her left ear because she was trying to save me. Even though I was in a coma, I wasn’t completely out of it—I remember everything.”

Sawyer and the Iverson brothers sat stiffly on the sofa, their faces hard as stone.

“Are you telling the truth?” Sawyer’s eyes were red-rimmed as he spoke.

Alicia nodded. “It’s true. If you don’t believe me, you can ask my parents.”

The three Iversons looked absolutely stricken.

“Then why didn’t you say something sooner?” Sawyer looked at the girl in front of him, frustration creeping into his voice.

Alicia pressed her lips together, her expression wracked with guilt. “I’m sorry.”

Sawyer was suddenly hit with the memory of sending Citrine—just eleven years old—away to another country. It had been her birthday. She hadn’t cried or made a scene; she only asked if she’d ever be allowed to come back. He told her of course she could, but in the five years she was gone, he never visited. He hadn’t even called her once.

He’d wronged her for so many years, shut her out and ignored her. Guilt crashed over him like a wave.

“Oh God, what have I done to Citrine?” Sawyer’s voice shook, thick with regret.

Sending Citrine away had been a family decision, a vote. Norton and Clifford had both agreed to it. Now, both brothers looked as if the weight of the world was pressing down on them.