A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

He had attended preschool before, but he never liked talking. Making friends was impossible for him; he could only watch the others play from the sidelines. Eventually, he began to fear interacting with anyone at all. The more time passed, the more withdrawn he became. Before long, he was the one left out, the boy everyone forgot.

So he just kept drawing, over and over–because as long as he had his sketchbook, he didn’t have to talk to anyone. If he kept drawing, it didn’t matter that he was always alone.

“Ivan?” Eddie’s voice was gentle, pulling Ivan from his thoughts.

Ivan blinked up at him, a flicker of hope in his eyes. But it faded just as quickly, and he shook his head before picking up his pencil again.

Eddie’s heart ached for him, but he didn’t push. Instead, he quietly left the studio, closing the door softly behind him so Ivan could have the space to himself.

Just one window away, Ivan sat in silence, focused and serious as he worked on his drawing. Meanwhile, outside, York was grinning from ear to ear, his laughter echoing through the yard.

“What are you doing out here?” Alessia sounded surprised when she saw Eddie step out. “How’s he doing?”

“Much better than before. You can tell his mood’s improved a lot lately,” Eddie replied, setting a fresh cup of tea in front of her. “He’s even started using bright colors–yellows, oranges–colors he never touched before. The whole feel of his artwork is lighter, not as dark or heavy as it used to be.”

“Has anything happened recently? Anything that might have brought about this

frowned, thinking back over the past

idiot? Give me the ball! Get back here!” York’s

wasn’t just Ivan who had changed–York seemed different, too. The gloom and defensiveness that used to surround him had

had been unhappy in different ways, but that had

Chapter 16.

Strangely, though, they complemented

their own age around makes things easier for them than dealing with us

school again. He clearly longs for it, but

Isn’t that a bit risky, with so many people?” Alessia

her brow.

his side,

York, who was

“York,” she called.