A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

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Chapter 225

Cole’s voice was cracked and fragile, like a child lost in the dark. His eyes were clouded with confusion and fear, searching for something–anything–to hold onto, Alessia felt her heart shatter at the sound of his words.

Tears welled up in her eyes, blurring her vision. Xander clenched his jaw, turned on. his heel, and strode out of the room.

“Lessie… what am I supposed to do now? Lessie, where are my mom and dad?”

Alessia didn’t know what to say. She didn’t have any answers either.

Words felt empty, useless. All she could do was pull Cole into her arms, hold him tight against her chest. He clung to her, arms wrapped around her waist as if she might vanish too if he let go.

“Cole, sweetheart, let’s let your aunt get some sleep now, okay?”

He didn’t reply–just nodded, silent. Alessia glanced away as she felt his tears soak through her shirt, her hand gently rubbing his back.

It was just like two years ago in the hospital. The two of them, holding onto each other, watched as the sheet was pulled over Parrish, before he’d even had the chance to say goodbye.

Now, two years later, it was still just the two of them. This time, fate had taken Cole’s mother.

At least, this time, there were still words left to say.

had crept in. Larkin drove Xander home,

rain kept

the bed, his head resting on Alessia’s lap, tears slipping down

back against the headboard, her eyes

shoulder, slow and gentle,

lit up the room, followed by a

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her hands over Cole’s ears,

had comforted her on stormy nights like this, Alessia now soothed Cole,

first time she met the Cole family, she

five years old.

their way up in the world. Wanting to break into the right

there for three months before new neighbors moved in next door. Alessia

are you digging

the backyard, Alessia was crouched on the lawn, a small trowel

unfamiliar voice, she glanced up, barely sparing him a

row of flowers along the wall, carefully tended by gardeners,

“What for?”