A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

Alessia, having finished her ice cream, tossed the stick into a nearby trash can without breaking her stride.

“Let me make one thing clear,” she said, her tone brisk. “I’m Alessia. I’ve never been the type to let other people’s opinions dictate what I do. If I want to do something, I’ll do it, no matter how many people tell me not to. If I don’t want to, no amount of pressure or persuasion will move me. My choices are my own. But you all–look at you. I haven’t even said anything, and each of you is acting like you’re suffering on my behalf.”

Liam finally realized what was wrong.

They always claimed they saw Alessia as family, but everything they did seemed to push her out, as if she were some distant relative–cordial, polite, but always at arm’s length. God forbid she felt out of place or unwelcome.

They’d been getting it wrong from the very start.

He opened his mouth, then closed it again, unable to find the words. Suddenly, Lucy’s words from earlier flashed through his mind.

“You don’t need to worry about tuition. Sure, we can’t give you the kind of life you had with the Tate family, but when it comes to your studies, just keep going as you have been. School, classes–don’t let anything change that.”

Alessia caught his drift almost immediately, even though his comment seemed to

come out of nowhere.

to school?” she asked, not rushing to

was

want to go back to

the evenings–it’s not so bad. Honestly, it feels like I’m

out soft, as

asked. I’m asking if you want to

1/2

15:40

But I go to an art college, and that costs money. With the way things are at home, do you really think

was harsher than he intended,

senior year, so he can’t drop out. I’m the only one who can take the pressure off–both time and money. Taking this break saves on tuition, and what I earn can actually help out at

have to worry about me,” Alessia said. “As for you, how about we make a

“A deal?”

cover your tuition for all four years. In exchange, you work for me for