The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Hilda was in a remarkably good mood today. The weekly meeting, which usually dragged on for an hour, was wrapped up in just thirty minutes.

Even more surprising, Hilda was unusually agreeable. When a department manager presented a disastrous marketing proposal-something that would've made her explode on any other day-she simply kept her cool and, in a gentle tone, asked them to revise it.

Anyone who knew Hilda's reputation at work would have been floored. She was known for her zero-tolerance policy toward incompetence; if anyone dared submit a sloppy proposal, she'd publicly eviscerate them until they left the conference room in tears.

So when everyone on the video call noticed their boss's sudden kindness, it didn't take long to connect the dots.noveldrama

President Saunders' uncharacteristic patience could only mean one thing-her daughter was around.

The team couldn't help but breathe a collective sigh of relief. If President Saunders' daughter hadn't been present, today's meeting would probably have been a nightmare.

After finishing up her work, Hilda showered and got ready for bed.

As she stepped into her bedroom, she spotted Citrine perched on her bed, completely absorbed in a book.

Citrine didn't notice her at first. Only when Hilda approached did she calmly put the book aside.

"Mom, are you done with work?" she asked.

Hilda smiled fondly, reached out to ruffle her daughter's hair, and nodded. "What's

got you wanting to sleep with me tonight?" she teased gently.

Citrine scooted over and lifted the covers, patting the empty space beside her. "Come on, Mom-lie down with me."

Once Hilda settled in next to her,

Citrine propped her chin on her hand and looked at her with quiet seriousness. "I just realized-I've never actually slept with you before, not even once."

The words caught Hilda off guard. For a moment, a flash of pain darkened her eyes.

It was true. While other children grew up cradled in their mothers' love, her own daughter had suffered so much in the Iverson household.

Noticing the shift in Hilda's expression, Citrine reached over and took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"When I was little," Citrine began softly, "I'd watch Sawyer and Aline dote on Jeanette Iverson, loving her without question. And I'd

wonder-where was my mom? What did she look like? Did she love me? Why didn't she want me?"

"At first, I was angry. I blamed you and Dad for having me but not raising me. I hated that you brought me into this world just to leave me alone and hurting."

"But the truth is, as much as I tried to convince myself you'd abandoned me and that I should hate you, what scared me more was how much still hoped for you. All these years, I never stopped imagining what it would be like to meet you. Deep down, I longed for my parents, just like I did as a child. Maybe that's the power of family."

"When I found out you'd been searching for me all this time, I was happy. That moment, I realized I'd never truly hated you at all. All the anger I thought I felt was really just hope."

Citrine poured out everything she'd kept bottled up inside.

"Citrine." Hilda was stunned. Since their reunion, her daughter had never opened up to her like this. For Hilda, this was precious beyond words.

Citrine smiled softly. "Mom, I never blamed you. Losing me wasn't your fault. You shouldn't feel guilty."

She squeezed Hilda's hand again. "Besides, I'm back now. I'm an adult-I won't get lost again."

Hilda's eyes stung with tears. "Oh, Citrine. My darling girl. You're so wonderful-l don't deserve to be your mother."