A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

VV

Chapter 233

Young Alessia understood that Parrish and Jade meant well. She also knew that if she worked hard enough, maybe her parents would finally look at her–so she never complained. In fact, she even went out of her way to ask the Tates to sign her up for every class they could find.

Sometimes, she’d sleep only three or four hours a night. But even then, not once did the Tates offer her a single word of praise or comfort.

It was Parrish who first noticed something was wrong. After the third call from Alessia’s teacher about her falling asleep in class, Parrish stormed into the school, pulled her out, and told Jade to make sure she rested. He even forced her to drop some of her courses.

It was the first time Parrish had ever put his foot down like that. Alessia wanted to push back, but in the end, she shrank away.

Of course, by the time she hit middle school, Alessia’s rebellious streak arrived right on schedule.

She started skipping every after–school lesson and extracurricular. On her very first test, she turned in a blank sheet. After class, she’d wander the alleys, picking fights, and before the Tates came home, she’d dye her hair in every color of the rainbow just out of spite.

But the Tates barely glanced at her, never sparing even a single word.

After a full week of skipping school–and avoiding the Whitleys–Alessia finally got caught by Cole, who’d also ditched class that day and tracked her down in a back alley.

Her first instinct was to run, but Cole was waiting for her at the exit, arms wide. He caught her in a tight hug.

“Busted, Miss Truancy. You’re under arrest–so just give in already.”

sighed and wriggled out of

but Alessia was pretty enough to pull it off. On anyone else, it

amused, half exasperated. He almost never used her full name–when he did, it meant he was right on the edge

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Chapter 233

She just looked away, refusing to

her. Instead, he quietly took off his

set his palm gently but

to your natural

once,

“Really?”

“Really. Not a chance.”

sighed again, full of helpless affection. He twirled a strand of her hair between his fingers, thinking. Then he took her hand and

with him.

made a token effort to break free, but gave up quickly and let

even though they’d grown up together, Cole was now a head taller

her.

led her straight

match hers,”