A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

Mae grew up in a remote mountain village. When she was barely a teenager, her parents forced her to marry a man she’d never even met. She gave birth to two daughters, but both babies were taken from her and discarded, no matter how much she pleaded. Later, her husband was killed in a landslide while working in the mountains, leaving Mae a widow. The villagers gossiped about her, constantly pointing fingers.

A local vagrant started harassing her. One day, while defending herself, Mae accidentally killed him. She spent several years in prison, and when she got out, the only work she could find was as a menial laborer.

Maybe Alessia was too young to remember, but the first time the eldest Tate son took her to a restaurant, they happened to see Mae there, begging the owner for any odd job. Little Alessia pointed at her, and from that day on, Mae became a fixture in the Tate household.

“I’m not a young lady of the house anymore, Mae. If you keep calling me ‘miss‘ doesn’t that mean…” Alessia trailed off.

Mae waved her hands frantically. “No, no, I didn’t mean anything by it!”

Seeing her flustered, Alessia let it go.

“Mae, my birth parents have opened a small café. They’re shorthanded and need someone experienced to help out. You were the very first person I thought of. But–compared to working here at the Tate estate, it’ll be a bit tougher. Are you willing?”

Alessia hated pressuring people. If someone agreed, that was wonderful; if they didn’t, she’d never mention it again. She wasn’t one to plead or

bargain–opportunity came only once.

if you’d rather stay at the Tate

again.”

moment, neither of them spoke. Just as Alessia assumed Mae would turn her down and

“Miss! No… Lessie!”

small smile tugging

I never would’ve gotten the chance to

Chapter 1

matter how dirty or tiring.

can focus on resting and recovering. Three days from now, I’ll send

and quickly tapped

I’ll head out