A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

No one knew how much time had passed before Xander finally exhaled, exhaustion etched deep in his features as he stepped out of the room. Alessia and Cole quickly moved to either side of him, supporting him as they made their way downstairs.

“Father, are you alright?” Alessia asked, handing him a glass of water.

Xander nodded, taking the glass and draining it in a few gulps.

“Mr. Dawson, how’s my mom?” Cole’s voice was tight, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he spoke, betraying his anxiety.

Xander rolled the empty glass between his weathered hands, avoiding Cole’s gaze. After a long pause, he sighed heavily.

Cole didn’t dare ask again, afraid he wouldn’t be able to handle the answer.

Xander’s heart ached for him, but he knew some truths couldn’t be left unsaid.

“Cole… your mother has been lying there for two years. She’s conscious, but she can’t wake up, can’t move…” Xander’s voice faltered.

He reached out and patted Cole’s hand, his cloudy eyes glistening red with emotion. In these two years, Cole had thought about giving up more times than he could count. And yet, each time, he’d tell himself to wait a little longer–just a little longer. Days blurred into months, and before he realized it, two years had slipped by.

Jade had always been cheerful and kind, full of life, confidence, and gentle strength. Not just Cole, but even Alessia believed she would wake up eventually. No one. could have imagined her husband’s death would hit her so hard–so hard that she’d lose even the will to live.

had tried everything, the three of them, hoping for a flicker of survival in Jade’s eyes. But

thick with unspoken words when Cole suddenly stood up. He didn’t say a thing, just trudged upstairs

him/but Xander gently held her back. He shook his head. “Let him be with his mother for a while.

him to

she nearly drew

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wake up again?”

on the table. “But if

gave way to a sudden, torrential rain that pounded

on the table went cold, reheated, then

Xander sat frozen on the sofa, silent and

rushed out, his face pale with

heart

kept close, hovering at his side in case he

one into Jade’s skin. Cole stood by, eyes rimmed red, not daring to blink, terrified his