A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

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“Damn it!” Max cursed under his breath. He scooped Alessia into his arms and bolted for the door, nearly knocking Mae over as she rushed in.

When Alessia finally woke again, she was no longer at home. Oddly enough, her tiny hand was still clinging tightly to Max’s index finger.

“Hey, little one, you okay?” Max’s voice was gentle but anxious.

Alessia, hooked up to a respirator, tried to open her mouth to speak, but sleep pulled her back under. In that hazy space between dreams and waking, she thought she heard a distant whisper, an almost inaudible, “I’m sorry.”

Bzzzz. Bzzzz.

The vibration of her phone dragged Alessia out of sleep. She silenced the alarm and sat up, rubbing her head, puzzled by the strange dream dredging up memories she’d rather forget.

8:30 a.m. She still had an hour before she was supposed to meet Liam.

“Lessie? It’s the weekend–why are you up so early?” Brendan glanced up from his breakfast, coffee in hand.

“I’ve got somewhere to be today,” Alessia replied as she took her seat at the table, still a little out of it.

“You look exhausted. Didn’t sleep well?” Karen reached over to feel Alessia’s forehead, but everything seemed normal.

“No, it’s nothing. Just some old memories–bad ones, honestly.” Suddenly, Alessia grabbed Karen’s hand with a seriousness that startled her mother.

you almost lost me. Did you know

honey, what are you saying?” Karen ruffled her hair, shooting

your egg, get some protein,” Brendan said, dropping a peeled egg into her bowl. Alessia didn’t

Entertainment,

said, glancing at the clock. They still had ten minutes

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naptor Juz

so

“Let’s go.”

Liam made it to the 22nd. floor without

Alessia knocked twice before

who decided to show up. It’s been months, Alessia!” Lillian, dressed in a crisp white suit, looked every bit the powerhouse–scarlet lipstick,

presence.

break because I know you’ve got everything handled. And hey, did you

playfully. If Alessia had ever wanted to join show business, Lillian

brother, Liam.

Lillian,” Liam said,