A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

Chapter 27

“I should probably let Mom and Dad know when I get back.”

Zachary was still muttering to himself when Alessia stopped in her tracks.

“I need to go somewhere, so I won’t be heading home with you. Don’t worry about dinner for me tonight.”

“Alright. Just text me when you’re on your way back so I can come down and meet you. It’s not safe around here at night.” Zachary didn’t push for details–he just gave a gentle reminder.

Alessia wasn’t concerned about her safety, but if she refused, Zachary would only insist, and she’d rather avoid the back–and–forth. So she nodded and agreed.

At the fork in the road, Alessia turned the corner, disappearing from view as Zachary watched. He clutched the bag in his hand, let out a quiet sigh, and a complicated expression flickered across his face–half a smile, half worry.

If it had been Ileana, he probably would’ve asked a thousand questions. But when it came to Alessia, his concern was tangled with the fear of coming across as overbearing. He was still trying to figure out how to make her feel comfortable

around him.

Back at the townhouse, Xander was already sprawled in the armchair, happily sampling the pastries Alessia had brought over.

has passed that scent test, right? You don’t think Lessie gave him the answers

him, only to be met

what it takes. How long have you been with me now? Five, six years at least, and you still can’t answer half as many questions

to compete with that? All these years, only

you measure up

the whole time!” Six’s voice shot

1/3

15:38

Chapter 27

a pastry in his mouth and

lingered on the memory of Zachary quietly answering questions, his fingers rhythmically drumming along his jeans. At first, Xander

you.” Six mumbled,

away before Xander could catch him, grabbing another pastry as he ran, leaving Xander somewhere between exasperation and

note. The list of ingredients and their precise amounts–it was a basic formula, but… to get it right just from

the note away, nodding to

the kitchen came the sounds of Brendan preparing dinner. Karen, who’d been building blocks with Ivan in the living room, poked

“Hey, Mom.”