A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

After saying goodbye to York, the two of them walked to the bus stop in silence, boarded in silence, and sat side by side–still not uttering a word.

Alessia watched the trees slide past outside the window, their branches blurring together. After three days of nonstop chaos–putting out fires for her family, juggling her own problems–it felt almost surreal to be back in the rhythm of an ordinary school day. The taut string in her mind finally loosened, if only a little.

sible to miss.

else, while still

Zachary glanced over and immediately noticed the shadow under Alessia’s eyes. Her pale skin made the bruise stand out starkly in the sunlight, Thinking about how she’d been running herself ragged for every managing her own troubles, Zachary felt a fresh wave of guilt crash over him.

He wasn’t just a lousy older brother–he was doing a pretty poor job at being a decent human being, period.

He’d tossed and turned all night, replaying everything in his head, and finally sat up in bed and gave himself a couple of hard slaps just to get to sleep. Now, seeing Alessia’s tired face, the guilt was back with a vengeance.

What a piece of work he was.

Zachary cursed himself silently.

“These past few days must’ve been rough, huh?” He wrestled with his thoughts for a while before finally breaking the silence, only to immediately regret how stupid the question sounded.

enough, Alessia blinked.

than before. They didn’t speak again, not even when they went

first to spot Alessia, waving her over as soon as she appeared. Pierce’s wave was even more enthusiastic; his eyes lit up, fixed on

“What’s up?”

track meet’s coming up,” Pierce announced, thrusting a sign–up sheet

for me?”

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Chapter 157

long jump. What do you think?” Pierce gave her

classes. If Alessia didn’t compete, their class didn’t stand a chance. With just those three events, they’d have a lock on a top–three finish for the whole

Pierce would’ve filled in Alessia’s name for

out. Alessia took the form and signed her nam strokes–no hesitation,

quick, bold

different form her way. Stella didn’t

touched the chair before he

him on the head with her