The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress novel Chapter 141

Saying she wanted to help Travis study wasn't just talk—Citrine truly meant it.

From then until finals week, she showed Travis the real meaning of follow-through, not with words, but with action.

For a solid week, Citrine would head straight over to Havencrest Technical College after scarfing down dinner at home, barely giving herself time to catch her breath.

Travis lived on campus, and to save him the commute and give him more time to cram, Citrine insisted on coming to him every single evening for their tutoring sessions.

One evening, just as she finished dinner and was about to dash out the door as usual, Raymond called after her.

"Citrine, where are you off to?" He frowned, concern etched on his face. For days now, she'd been rushing out the door after dinner—tonight made it a week straight.

Citrine was sitting on the entryway bench, slipping on her sneakers. Without thinking, she replied, "I'm heading over to help Travis with his studies."

Raymond looked momentarily taken aback. "So, all this running around—early out, late back—just to tutor him?" There was a strange feeling brewing in his chest.

"Yep." Citrine's answer was simple and direct.

That kid, Raymond thought, can't even bother to come here himself and still has the nerve to make Citrine traipse back and forth. What if she wears herself out? She never even fussed over her own dad this much. Raymond mentally added another tally mark to Travis's account.

Still, since when had those two gotten so close?

He couldn't help but ask, "When did you and that kid start hanging out so much?"

"He's my brother, isn't he?" Citrine replied, grabbing her bag. For once, there was a rare note of warmth in her voice when she spoke about Travis.

But I'm still your father.

Raymond almost blurted it out, but the words stuck in his throat.

It hit him then. Citrine always addressed the other members of the Carmichael family politely, but with him and his father, her tone was different—more distant.

He'd never quite understood it before, but realization dawned. They were the only two in the family who hadn't welcomed Citrine from the start. No wonder she found it so hard to feel close to them. Polite, yes. But affectionate? Not really.