NovelUSAChapter 464 Hilda stared wide-eyed at Raymond, her gaze fixed and unblinking. Before she could even process what he'd said, Raymond continued, "Hilda, you don't actually believe Citrine lived a privileged, carefree life all these years as the Iversons' adopted daughter, do you?" A heavy weight dropped in Hilda's chest.
Wasn't that the case? But hearing Raymond's words now, a terrifying suspicion crept into her mind-one she didn't dare pursue. Raymond watched her reaction and let out a cold, bitter laugh. "Citrine's life with the Iversons was a living hell. Every single day under their roof was torture for her." "You probably don't know this, but when she was eleven, the Iversons sent her away to Mirage Cay." Just mentioning it made Raymond's heart ache unbearably. The memory of the dream where he'd seen his daughter's suffering unspeakable cruelty-made him want to tear the whole world apart.
Hilda's eyes flew open, a chill instantly dulling their light. She stared at Raymond in shock. "The Iversons... sent Citrine to Mirage Cay?" Her voice trembled so much she could barely get the words out.
"How could those monsters do that?" she demanded, her voice low and shaking, eyes turning red with fury.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtShe knew exactly what kind of place Mirage Cay was. No one ever cback from there. Years ago, there were reports-leaked videos of people being snatched away by the island's inhabitants. One news story had shown a victim who'd been mutilated beyond recognition, their body reduced to little more than a head. The images had been so gruesthat Hilda still remembered them to this day.
When Raymond had first learned that Citrine had been sent there, he nearly broke down. Now, looking at Hilda, he went on, "When Sawyer first adopted Citrine, he treated her well, but everything changed a year later when he brought hanother woman and a child. Suddenly Citrine becinvisible-blamed for things she didn't do, denied even a simple meal. Yet through it all, she still hoped Sawyer would care for her. She held on, until the day she lost hope completely." "Sawyer taught Citrine never to trust in family again. He shattered any belief she had that love could cfrom blood." How dare they.
"If anyone lays a finger on my daughter, the Iversons deserve to rot," Hilda snarled through clenched teeth, eyes blazing with unshed tears.
As soon as the words left her lips, her strength vanished.
"This is my fault. If I'd protected Citrine, she wouldn't have suffered at the versons' hands. She never Wave been sent to Mirage Cay. She'd be happy now. Safe." Up until this visit, Hilda had resented the Carmichaels, convinced they'd mistreated her daughter. Only now did she understand how much Raymond truly loved Citrine.
He knew her. He worried for her.
And Hilda—she'd known nothing. She didn't deserve to call herself a mother.
"Raymond... thank you for tellingthis." Ashamed, Hilda realized she couldn't stay a moment longer.
She all but fled.
After leaving the Carmichael estate, Hilda Straight to C. Corp. Once
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmthere, she ordered her assistant to investigate everything aboutcher daughter's past and about Mirage Cay. Vernon was nothing if not efficient; by the end of the day, he'd gathered every record he could find regarding Citrine.
That night, Hilda stayed up until dawn, reading through every single report Vernon had uncovered. Everything matched what Raymond had told her, word for word.
Rubbing her temples, Hilda felt crushing guilt.
Ever since she'd found her daughter, she'd been selfish-focused only on getting close to Citrine, on making her accept her. She'd never once thought to ask what kind of life Citrine had endured, what she'd been through. She wasn't a good mother. Not even close.
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