The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress novel Chapter 16

Citrine's arrival in his life had been completely unexpected.

And for Raymond, that surprise came with a tangle of emotions he could scarcely unravel.

When Citrine first came to him, he hadn't believed her claims. Only after the DNA test confirmed she was indeed his biological daughter did he force himself to accept the truth—however much it unsettled him.

But now, as he watched her, Raymond finally realized just how much he owed this girl.

He had brought her into the world, yet failed utterly to protect her.

That afternoon, when school let out at five, Citrine was wandering the curb, scanning for the Carmichael family's car, when she suddenly spotted a familiar black Phantom idling nearby.

"Don't bother looking—there's no driver today," Raymond called, striding over with his long, purposeful steps as he climbed out of the car.

Citrine stared, wide-eyed, as he approached her.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, the question lingering in her mind though she kept her face carefully neutral.

He had taken her out for dinner once before, but Citrine never really believed Raymond wanted to pick her up from school, not after how obviously reluctant he'd been to acknowledge her at first.

"The driver had something urgent, and I happened to be free," Raymond replied, his expression stiff for a moment as he avoided her gaze.

Citrine nodded, accepting his explanation without question.

Once they were both in the car, Raymond broke the silence. "We're going to get your paperwork sorted out."

He'd made up his mind about this before he even arrived.

Citrine paused, puzzled by his sudden concern. She couldn't quite figure Raymond out.

"Why?"

She could still remember all too well how hard he had resisted accepting her when they first met.

Raymond knew she hadn't forgotten that first, uncomfortable encounter, and for a brief second, he regretted it.

He offered an explanation: "I didn't realize you were really my daughter when we first met."