A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

“Lessie! What… what happened?” Karen’s smile froze, her face draining of color. She didn’t even bother to take off her shoes before hurrying over to sit in front of Alessia, wringing her hands, her expression a mix of panic and helplessness.

Brendan and Zachary, who’d just been changing out of their coats in the hallway, heard the commotion and rushed over too. In an instant, Alessia found herself surrounded by the three of them, still sitting there with her hand awkwardly wrapped in gauze.

“It’s nothing, really. I just got a little careless,” Alessia said, feeling a bit uncomfortable with the sudden outpouring of concern.

“Let me see. Is it bad? How did it happen?” Karen reached for her hand, but Alessia instinctively pulled away. Zachary, however, was quicker–he gently but firmly took her hand, his face serious.

With a sigh, Alessia unwrapped the bandage herself. Karen’s eyes widened in shock; she covered her mouth, her gaze full of sympathy.

“Was it Ivan?” Zachary asked, frowning deeply.

There was no point in hiding it. Even if she wanted to, Alessia couldn’t have claimed

she’d bitten herself.

“It was just a misunderstanding. I crossed a line without asking. It’s just a scratch, honestly, don’t worry about it.”

the hospital with me. That looks nasty–what if it scars?” Brendan stood up, brushing invisible dust from his

If it’ll make you feel better, I’ll stop by the pharmacy later and pick up some ointment. It’ll

long sigh and turned toward Alessia’s room, a trace of anger clouding his face. Alessia was quick, though, grabbing his wrist before he

are

him to hurt you like that. He should at least come out and apologize instead of hiding, in his

only make things worse. Really, it’s

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Chapter 43

until finally Brendan relented, and Alessia let

going to do about this?”

It’s just tough bandaging

hand herself, tying it off with

more.