A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

Chapter 8

“Eat up, have some more,” Brendan said warmly, piling another slice of roast onto her plate.

“If there’s anything you’re craving, just tell me,” his mother added. “I’ll make it for

you.”

Alessia nodded, quietly tucking into her meal. The easy back–and–forth around the table was a warmth she’d rarely known in her seventeen years. Maybe it was the inviting atmosphere, maybe she just couldn’t refuse their kindness, but even though her appetite usually vanished in front of such a feast, she managed to finish at whole bowl of rice–which was no small feat for her.

If the eldest Tate boy ever heard of it, another round of chefs would probably be packing their knives at the Tate estate.

By the end of the meal, the awkward tension had faded. Ethan headed back to campus, while Alessia excused herself upstairs to pack her things. She didn’t have much to her name, so it didn’t take long.

Lying on the bed, she breathed in the fresh scent of sun–dried sheets and laundry soap. The little desk fan creaked and spun, stirring the air–no air conditioning, but it didn’t feel stuffy at all.

Outside, she could hear the Mortons talking in hushed voices. Through the window drifted the muffled sounds of other families going about their lives. For someone used to the silence of gated communities, the vague commotion was oddly comforting. She remembered, vaguely, that when she was very young, she’d known

this kind of life too.

Neither the Mortons‘ good fortune nor Tate Holdings‘ success had always come easy. When Alessia was little, there had been hard times too. She’d just been lucky, those years of struggle ending quickly, and she’d grown up in comfort ever since.

know why, but those

“Asleep?”

“Asleep.”

Let her rest,

the stir–fried pork. I’ll pick up

1/3

15.35

idea. How’s Zachary feeling

sound of a sigh through the wall, then nothing

slept deeply, dreamless and peaceful. By the time she woke, the house was quiet–just her, Karen, and little Ivan were

was mopping the floor, her smile gentle and

smell

all out and won’t be home for lunch.

struggling one, even one less was a relief. Still, Alessia could

something myself.

would you come with

Alessia agreed. Better to keep busy

without being asked. Karen didn’t stop her, just smiled and showed her where everything went, explaining in her gentle

was Karen’s softness, or maybe Alessia just wanted to belong, but she found herself relaxing, fitting in