A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

Chapter 228

Alessia still went over in the end, sitting quietly in Cole’s living room. The layout was almost identical to her own home, but the atmosphere was a world apart.

The Tates‘ house always felt cold, almost sterile, while here, snapshots of everyday life decorated every wall and shelf.

She watched as Jade ruffled Cole’s hair, murmuring a warm “Well done,” and she could hear the clatter of Parrish busying himself in the kitchen, the rhythmic tap of a knife slicing fruit.

It was a scene that simply never happened at the Tate house. No matter how many times they moved, their home was always quiet and distant. The only time the silence was ever broken was when she and Max got into one of their shouting

matches.

Most days, her parents didn’t come home until well after midnight. Technically, they lived under the same roof, but it wasn’t unusual not to see them for weeks at a time. Max was always running off somewhere, though he’d sometimes bring her candy or a snack. That never made up for all the hours she spent alone in that big, empty house.

Maybe because she was always alone, the neighborhood kids banded together to pick on her. She never took it lying down; she’d bite or pull hair–whatever it took. It never ended well for either side.

Every time those kids lost a fight, they’d show up at her door with their parents in tow. The kids would hide behind their mothers and fathers, making faces at her while the adults demanded an explanation.

herself, though. Max didn’t care who was watching–he’d stride right up and slap whoever started it, parents included. Sometimes, he’d even

nothing major. Sometimes they’d shatter á neighbor’s window, sometimes toss a handful of bugs. at

the other kids started to fear them. Their parents stopped

to play with them anyway? If that counted as

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Chapter 228

That’s why she always seemed so grown–up–because most of the time, the only

gaze away, dragging herself out of the memories. But all the family photos scattered around the

of herself: a stiff school ID from her

had wedding portraits, snapshots from their youth, baby pictures of Max… but not a single photo of her.

to dwell on the thought any longer, already regretting her decision to come

She was trying hard not to sound too excited, but

pressed her lips together and