A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

Chapter 156

Brendan let out a heavy sigh, full of worry and regret.

“Neither her adoptive parents nor her birth parents ever gave Lessie the warmth of a real home. Tell me, how is that fair?”

He shook his head, his voice softening. “Lessie might seem a little distant, but she’s one of the most thoughtful kids I’ve ever met. She’s been running herself ragged for this family. Do you really think things would’ve gone so smoothly for the twins if Lessie hadn’t been helping behind the scenes?”

Before Alessia showed up, it felt like we hit a wall at every turn. Ther everything started falling into place–better than ever, really. Even if we called her a lucky charm, it wouldn’t explain all that’s happened.

denly,

Brendan didn’t need any special insight to know Alessia had put in a ton of unseen effort.

“And it’s not just about the boys. Look at our own business, the freshly renovated shop, and even Zachary’s health. If it weren’t for Lessie, all of this would be weighing us down. We wouldn’t be sitting here feeling so at peace.”

The more Brendan spoke, the heavier Karen’s guilt became.

“So… what do we do now? How could I have acted like that?” Tears welled up and spilled over before she could stop them. Brendan quickly grabbed a couple of tissues, gently dabbing her eyes.

He wrapped her in a hug, patting her back with quiet reassurance.

“Don’t beat yourself up. Lessie’s a good kid. We made mistakes, but we can make it right. We need to show her what a real family feels like–help her feel like she truly belongs here, even if it still feels strange to her.”

Zachary, too, lay awake that night, sleep nowhere in sight.

both laid into him–one called him clueless, the other

how to

the group chat blow up with their messages, Zachary

he really did deserve for Six to punch him

1/3

napicia

circles under their eyes, looking like they’d been drained of life. When they saw each other, they all sighed at once, catching the

they were cut from the same cloth. You could call them gentle and kind, or, less

brothers talked things through with them, their regret only grew

I really have to go now? I don’t want to head back yet.” At the tah! his legs under his chair, swirling his spoon around his bowl of

rk kicked

ut taking

keep skipping class, are you planning on becoming completely uneducated?” Alessia rapped his knuckles with her fork, shooting him a look that

waste food.

“What’s ‘uneducated‘ mean?”

have to ask, you

his lower lip. He knew better than to

know what

him, focused

uneducated too, then,” York declared, stung

up,” Alessia said,