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.

age as the younger Tate boy, but

have been more different.

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 to fetch it and just happened to answer

now, the Mortons did everything they could to meet the boy’s

into two zones,” Alessia began. “You’ll have the inside area–it’s quieter, full of sunlight, perfect for painting. I’ll take the outside part, and I won’t bother

her, then looked

has a window with a view–you can see birds perched on the

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and at night, you’ll spot a passerby or two under

was gentle, almost hypnotic. Ivan unconsciously

can’t keep yourself holed up in a dark little corner forever. You have to see the world outside 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 can’t get any

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

he looked like a kid his age. Pleased to see some spirit in

better–definitely cuter than

as she was thinking this, Ivan knocked her hand away. She raised

she’d expected. Good–her