Chapter 30
Citrine’s eyes suddenly turned cold, lips flattening into a hard line.
The air went still in an instant
No one would have guessed that Citrine and Alicia had once been inseparable as children–the kind of best friends who practically shared everything:
When they were little, Citrine was an adorable, cherubic child, the sort everyone wanted to scoop up and hug
She was just three and a half when she first met four–year–old Alicia at preschool
Alicia, even then, was obsessed with beauty. The moment she saw Citrine, she was utterly enchanted by her.
She went home in tears, begging her mother, Irma Chase, to bring Citrine home to be her little sister!
Back then, Alina and her son hadn’t yet returned to the Iverson family. Citrine was still a little girl wrapped in warmth and affection. Faced with the clumsy adoration of a child her own age, Citrine felt awkward and lost.
After all, the other kids at preschool didn’t like her. The reason was almost laughable: she always answered every question the teacher asked and earned the most gold stars.
Alicia was the first child who aver said she liked her!
That day became the happiest Citrine had ever had at preschool. When she got home, she carefully chose a gift for her very first friend and brought it to school the next morning to give to her.!!
From then on, wherever Citrine went, Alicia was sure to follow
But everything changed when Aline brought Jeanette back to the Iverson family Bit by bit, Citrine lost the love of everyone around her. No one in the Iverson family wanted to listen to her anymore
Everyone changed–everyone, that is, except Alicia.
Whenever Citrine was upset, Alicia would always step in front of her, ready to protect.
She’d say, “Citrine, is that brat picking on you again? Just wait–I’ll show her not to mess with you.“!
She’d say, “Citrine, don’t be sad. Even if no one else believes you, I always will.”
She’d say, “Citrine, I won’t talk to Jeanette, that annoying pest, ever again. Please don’t be mad at me, okay?
She’d say,
“Citrine, no matter how much you change, you’ll always be my best friend.“?
She’d say, “Citrine, let’s be best friends forever“}
Children make friendships so easily, but sometimes, the smallest storm can tear them apart!
When they were ten, Alicia came over to play. The housekeeper was off that day, only the two of them and Jeanette were home!! That was the day the fire broke out. Citrine and Alicia didn’t notice anything was wrong until the flames began to spread.
When Citrine realized what was happening, she dashed out of the room and caught sight of Jeanette, a lighter clutched in her hand. “What are you doing?” Citrine shouted, furious.
Jeanette just laughed, loud and wild.
I’m going to bum you alive, Citrine. The fire flickered across her face, making her look monstrous. “Once you’re dead, everything the Iversons own will be mine.”
The look on her face was almost deranged.!!
In that moment, Citrine felt as if she were staring at a demon–not a person.
Jeanette was a demon.
“You’re insane! You’ll kill all of us! Citrine stormed over and slapped Jeanette hard across the face.
Jeanette only kept laughing.X
“Go ahead and die, both of you. I’ll survive.”
As the last exit was nearly swallowed by flames, Jeanette, with a burst of desperate strength, shoved Citrine aside and bolted for the door
Just as she reached it, something heavy crashed down from above, Jeanette had no time to dodge; it struck her directly
The fire raged on.
Then, from behind the door, Sawyer’s voice fatig out!
“Alicial Were saved!” For a moment, hope lit up Citrine’s eyes. She wrapped the wet blanket tighter around Alicia, shielding her from the smoke and heat
Moments later, Sawyer appeared through the flames.
