Chapter 3
Sawyer’s expression shifted instantly. He shot to his feet. “Are you out of your mind?”
“How could you lay a hand on your own sister?“4
Stnding forward, he positioned himself protectively in front of the hospital bed, his voice gentle as he tried to soothe Jeanette “Don’t be scared, Jeanette. I’m here. I won’t let anyone hurt you*%
“Completely insane, one of the Iverson brothers muttered, and both moved to block Citrine’s path, eyes narrowed in suspicion.!!
Watching them close ranks around Jeanette, Citrine let out a bitter laugh, What, did they think she was some kind of villain? Was she supposed to be the wicked stepsister straight out of a soap opera?”
In this family drama, Jeanette always played the part of the pure, fragile flower, while the versons lined up as her devoted guardians Citrine arched an eyebrow, her interest fading fast. She shot the group a cold look, her voice frosty. “If any of you try crossing me again, i won’t hesitate to show you just how crazy I can get.”
She was crazy, all right–driven mad by the iversons themselves
Jeanette, face buried in Aline’s arms, whimpered, her voice trembling with accusation. “Did I do something wrong?
me.”
“Don’t call me your sister, I have no family here,” Citrine
he snapped, disgust darkening her gaze.
g? Please, don’t hate
“Please sister.” Jeanette’s eyes brimmed with tears, and within seconds, she was sobbing as if her world had shattered.
Citrine clicked her tongue in annoyance. “God, Jeanette, aren’t you tired of this act? You’ve been pulling the same stunt since we were kids, and these idiots still fall for it every time.
Not giving anyone a chance to respond, Citrine pressed on. “If you really want me out of this family, just keep your mouth shut.“2
Jeanette bit her lip, but stayed silent.!
The atmosphere in the hospital room grow icy, tension thick in the air.
Citrine spoke up, her tone resolute. “Every cent I’ve spent here–ill wire back to Mr. Iverson’s
Sawyer blinked, taken aback, his frown deepening. “What are you trying to do?%
account
Then, as realization dawned, his voice grew sharp. “Don’t forget who put a roof over your head all these years. Guess I was blind to have raised a thankless brat who’d dare turn on my own daughter.”
He’d spoiled her too much, made her impossible to handle.
Citrine let out a bitter laugh. “You’re right. I’m just the adopted daughter–not your flesh and blood”
“After all, who else but you would send their own little girl overseas for five years and never look back? Just left me to fend for myself.” Bittemess twisted her words as she remembered those years abroad–how many times had she begged Sawyer to bring her home?
He never came
“You hate me,” Sawyer said, seeing the fury in her eyes. His chest tightened with a mix of guilt and resentment
His gaze lingered on the hearing aid in Citrine’s left ear, but the pang of guilt faded quickly as he remembered the past. “Don’t forget why you were sent away. That was your fault. I did it for your own good.” His voice was icy, his eyes steely with waming.
Citrine felt a chill run through her, but she forced her emotions down
Tm moving out today” Her voice was steady, determined. The Iverson family didn’t deserve her tears.
“Mr. Iverson, whatever bond we had as father and daughter ends here.”
The whole family stared at her, convinced she’d finally lost her mind.
The Iversons weren’t nobodies in Havencrest. Even if she did nothing for the rest of her life, being part of their family guaranteed a life of luxury and ease the kind of future most people could only dream about !!
