A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

Chapter 14

“And besides, once the semester starts, I can apply for a dorm room on campus. Rather than leaving this place empty, it makes more sense to use the space well.”

“So you were planning to move out to the campus all along?”

The conversation kept circling back and forth.

“I don’t have to live there,” Alessia shrugged, her tone impossible to read.

“If living at school makes things easier for you, I won’t stand in your way,” Brendan said.

“There’s no place like home, no matter how fancy the alternatives,” Alessia replied with a little smirk.

Everyone in the room chuckled at that.

“Alright, it’s getting late. We should all get some rest,” Brendan said, glancing at the clock.

“Yeah.” As soon as Alessia replied, Zachary’s face changed–he turned away suddenly and began to cough harshly.

His parents rushed to his side, worry etched on their faces.

“If you don’t mind, may I check your pulse?” Alessia waited until Zachary had recovered before she spoke.

“Of course,” Zachary replied without hesitation, extending his hand. “You know how to do that?”

“I picked up a few things from an old… well, let’s just say a family friend.” Alessia placed her fingers gently on Zachary’s wrist.

was icy cold, as if he’d been gripping

you’ve made it this far,” she said

bit surprised, but

went in for a scan, the doctor told me there was little chance Zachary would survive. I thought my whole world was falling apart. But somehow, he pulled through. He was rushed straight to intensive care after he was born, but at least he

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of weird medications,” Zachary added lightly, clearly trying to break the heavy

why are you still in your senior year?” Alessia let go of his

so I had

What meds are

listed off the ingredients

of looking relieved, Alessia’s brow furrowed even deeper. “That’s just

coughed, cutting

Brendan and Karen didn’t

get some sleep, too. Don’t you have to get

“But you-”

didn’t say anything new today. Lessie, the prescription’s alright,

wrong with it.” But she knew

finally let themselves be shepherded off to their bedroom. Once the door closed behind them, Zachary let out a sigh of relief. He turned to Alessia, pressing a finger to his lips, a gentle smile

meeting his eyes. “But tell me,

could walk. I know my own body. I figure, if I’ve got a year left, I’d rather not waste a bunch of money chasing

Alessia nodded thoughtfully.