The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress novel Chapter 557

Before coming over, Sebastian had rehearsed so many things he wanted to say to her, but the moment he saw her, all the words vanished.

Right now, he was still finding his feet, unable to offer her any real support.

She was the CEO of CICI Group—a top graduate from a prestigious university, a bestselling author, raised in a privileged family, every bit as brilliant as she was accomplished.

And he? He was nothing, really. The gap between them couldn’t have been wider—she belonged to the stars, and he was still earthbound.

Sebastian used to believe he could catch up to her someday. But as time passed, he realized she was growing so fast that there was no way he could ever keep pace. All he could do was look up to her, always chasing an impossible distance.

After a long silence, Sebastian apologized, his voice low. “I’m sorry. Something like this happens to you, and there’s nothing I can do except check in on you.” As he spoke, sadness flickered in his eyes.

Citrine was quiet for a moment. Then she looked up at him, her gaze unwavering, lips parting just enough to speak: “That’s true.”

Sebastian pressed his lips together, his lashes trembling.

With a bitterness he couldn’t hide, he muttered, “If only I were a little better.”

At that, Citrine’s eyes shifted, just slightly.

People with dissociative identities often have alter personalities whose mental age is forever frozen at the moment of their trauma.

It wasn’t that Sebastian wasn’t talented. He was simply trapped in a painful memory he couldn’t escape.

After all, the real Sebastian was the mastermind behind Stellaris Group—a CEO who’d built Crestwood’s first business alliance from nothing.

Remembering what Sebastian had just said, a bold idea began forming in Citrine’s mind.

She looked at him intently. “Did you mean it? When you said you wanted to help me?”

Sebastian offered a small, sincere smile. “I did. Anything you need, whatever it is—I just want to make you happy.”

Ever since she’d helped him recover the money he was owed, Sebastian had become keenly aware of the gulf between them. She was up in the clouds, and he was worlds apart from her. He’d made up his mind then—if he couldn’t stand at her side, he’d be her loyal companion, devoted to her in every way.