A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

Chapter 229

Jade smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners, making her look even more. beautiful–a kind of beauty Alessia had never seen before, not even in her own mother.

For a moment, little Alessia just stared, utterly mesmerized.

“My mom’s really pretty, isn’t she?” Cole leaned in close, whispering with all the subtlety of a six–year–old.

Uncharacteristically, Alessia didn’t argue. She simply nodded, eyes still wide.

The look on Alessia’s face delighted Jade. Unable to resist, she gently nudged her son aside and cupped Alessia’s chubby cheeks in her hands, giving them a soft squeeze.

Alessia’s baby fat hadn’t quite melted away, making her cheeks irresistibly squishy. She scrunched up her features in protest, but instead of looking upset, she only seemed more endearing–her childishness shining through, making her all the more adorable.

“Oh, Lessie, you’re the real beauty here,” Jade cooed. “You’re the prettiest little girl I’ve ever seen.”

“All right, all right, careful you don’t scare her,” Parrish finally interrupted, seeing his wife had had her fun. He gently rescued Alessia from Jade’s overzealous affection.

“Lessie, would you like to stay for dinner tonight?” Jade asked, her tone warm and inviting. “If your parents mind, I can talk to them for you.”

into her little grown–up

boarding school–he already went back today,” Seeing Parrish and Jade’s puzzled

me.”

scared being alone?”

ever asked Alessia that before. She

place off the alley and I wasn’t scared then, so why would I be now? This house

matter–of–fact tone only made Jade and Parrish’s hearts ache

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Chapter 220

see what

only managed to send Max, her brother, to kindergarten, while Alessia spent her days at home, watched over by a neighbor who got paid a little extra for the help. When Max started grade school,

was too young to fight

then on, Alessia was alone most of the time. At mealtimes, the neighbor would

home that things changed for Alessia. For the first time, she got to go to

home from school, he’d teach her new words and bring back battered old textbooks for her. When he returned to boarding school, on those long, sleepless nights, Alessia would curl up in bed with the flashlight Max had given her and the stuffed