A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

“Need a hand?”

these off and pack up the leftovers–I don’t want you getting soaked again.” Brendan scooped the last of the wraps into his bag and shoved the empty container and cup into Alessia’s hands.

“Go on upstairs, let your mom know what’s going on.”

Alessia nodded and headed up, quickly explaining everything to Karen.

But instead of scolding Alessia for acting on her own, Karen looked anxious and excited all at once. She spun around the kitchen twice, already thinking about making more, but for a moment, she was so flustered she didn’t know where to

start.

“Mom, I’ll leave you to it. I’m going to talk to Ivan about the room arrangements.”

“Good girl, go ahead.” By now, Karen was too distracted to hear anything else. Alessia just shook her head, smiling, and walked toward Ivan’s room.

She knocked–just like always–half–expecting no answer and already reaching for the doorknob herself, when the handle turned from the inside.

Looking down, she saw Ivan’s small face peeking out through the crack.

“I need to talk to you. Is now a good time?” He was only eight, but Alessia didn’t bother with the sing–song tone adults usually used with kids; she spoke to him as an equal.

same age as the younger Tate boy, but their

have been more different.

after opening the door, he went straight back to the little corner he’d claimed. Alessia noticed a brand–new can of paint in his hand–he must have gotten up

the Mortons did everything they could

quieter, full of sunlight, perfect for painting. I’ll take the outside part, and

up at her, then looked down again, fiddling with

view–you can see birds perched on the

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day, sunlight streaming through the trees in the afternoon, and at night, you’ll spot a passerby or

hypnotic. Ivan unconsciously

if you want to create real art. I promise I won’t disturb you while you’re painting. If you agree, just nod. If you don’t, I’ll bug you every day until you

pretending to be a saint, but she also didn’t take kindness for

last words, Ivan’s eyes went wide with outrage–finally, he looked like a kid his age. Pleased to see some spirit in

than

was thinking this, Ivan knocked her

gave a small nod. Easier than she’d expected. Good–her patience was always in short