A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

Alessia stepped inside and was surprised to see Ivan already seated beside Eddie. Ivan clutched a sketchbook in his lap, his gaze glued to the drawing Eddie was working on.

“Do you want to stay a bit longer?” Alessia asked softly, taking in the scene. She knew then that this visit hadn’t been in vain.

Ivan shook his head, holding the sketchbook a little tighter, disappointment flickering across his face at having to leave before finishing.

Eddie set down his pencil and ruffled Ivan’s hair. Instead of brushing him off, Ivan silently handed the sketchbook back.

“If you like it, you can take it home,” Eddie offered.

Ivan shook his head again.

Karen had taught him not to take things just because he liked them. What he wanted might be special to someone else too, so even if someone offered, it didn’t always mean they truly wanted to give it away.

Ivan didn’t quite understand the reasoning, but he’d promised Karen not to accept things from others just because he liked them.

Eddie was a little surprised. Most kids would have snatched up the offer with delight, but even though Ivan was clearly interested, he still refused. Eddie glanced at Alessia, who paused for a moment, realizing what sort of principles the Mortons had been instilling in Ivan.

to Eddie, who immediately understood

a library?” Eddie asked, catching Ivan’s

Karen used a card

borrow the sketchbook and

Alessia still found it remarkable,, even after knowing him for so long. She’d only dealt with two

1/2

14:48

Getting through to either could be a challenge, but Eddie, for all his social reluctance, never seemed to run

at Alessia, searching her face for

good care of it,” she said, smiling. “If you damage it, you won’t be able to borrow new

as he hugged the

his hair again, grinning. “Let’s go. I’ll drive you

treasure. Alessia reached over, gently tousling his hair, then turned

“Stop the car.”