NovelXXXChapter 361 That year, when Alicia was only five, a group of boys cornered her at the school gates and took everything of value she had.
Terrified, little Alicia burst into tears, sobbing uncontrollably.
From across the yard, young Citrine caught sight of what was happening and shouted, "Alicia!" Without a second thought, she dropped her backpack and charged straight at the boys.
"Don't you dare touch her!" Citrine hurled herself at one of them, sinking her teeth into his ear with a fierceness that was wild and wolfish.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtThe boy screamed, his face twisted in pain. "Let go of me, you brat!" "No!" Citrine refused, clinging on with all her might.
The boy grimaced and yelled to his friends, "Con, helpout!" The others rushed at Citrine, and soon she and the boys were tangled in a chaotic scuffle. In the end, Citrine was left battered and bruised, her face swollen and streaked with tears. But the boys didn't escape unscathed- frightened by her ferocity, they ran hcrying for their parents.
When they were gone, Citrine ran to Alicia's side.
Ignoring the pain on her face, Citrine forced a brave smile. "Alicia, don't be scared. As long as I'm here, I won't let anyone hurt you." Now, at eighteen, Citrine had beccold and distant, but in that moment, the memory of the fearless little girl who once risked everything to save her from danger merged with the woman standing in front of Alicia.
Alicia gazed at her, a tear slipping down her cheek.
With sadness and guilt in her eyes, she apologized again, her voice trembling. "Citrine, I'm sorry." Citrine just stared at her, silent.
Alicia knew she wouldn't get a response. She didn't take offense-she simply smiled, a bitter, rueful smile. When the police arrived, it finally hit her just how determined Citrine was to cut her out of her life.
She knew then-Citrine would never forgive her. But Alicia couldn't blher; after all, she'd brought this on herself.
Mistakes have consequences.
Amelia's injuries were minor-classified as superficial by the doctors-so Alicia only had to spend a week in custody. A week later, when Alicia was released, she didn't return to school. Instead, she learned where the Iverson family lived in Crestwood and made her way there.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmIt was Saturday, and both Sawyer and his brothers were home.
When Sawyer opened the door and saw Alicia, he froze in surprise. "Alicia? What are you doing here?" The Chases and the Iversons used to work together, and since Alicia and Citrine had been close as children, their families often visited one another. But after both families went bankrupt, they'd lost touch. So seeing Alicia now was unexpected.
Still, Sawyer quickly ushered her in. "Cin."
Inside, Clifford and Norton were on the sofa-one studying, the other busy with work. They each nodded politely at Alicia as she entered. Alicia sat down and gave the brothers a nod in return.
Then she turned to Sawyer and spoke first. "Mr. Iverson, I ctoday because there's something I need to tell you." A strange sense of relief washed over her, knowing she was finally about to say it. "What is it?" Sawyer asked, puzzled.
Alicia pressed her lips together, gathering her courage. "Mr. Iverson, I'm sorry. I lied back then. Citrine told the truth."
At the mention of Citrine's name, Sawyer and his brothers all looked at Alicia, confusion written across their faces. "What lie? Alicia, what are you talking about?"
Alicia closed her eyes tightly, then repeated, "That fire all those years ago-it wasn't Citrine who started it. It was Jeanette. She wanted to kill both Eand Citrine. In the end, Citrine risked her life to carryout of the burning house." Sawyer's eyes went wide. "What?" He couldn't believe it. He pressed her again, "But when we asked you back then, you said Citrine started the fire. Didn't you?"
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