A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

“Mr. Whitley.” Alessia’s eyes darted away, her posture stiff and uncertain, like a child caught doing something wrong.

Parrish let out a long sigh, swallowing the words he’d been about to say.

He rested a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Mr. Whitley’s house is your home, too. What child doesn’t come home eventually? You can’t just run off like that because of an argument, understand?”

“I won’t ever do it again,” Alessia replied softly, her fingers nervously twisting together, betraying her unease.

“If you want to keep your hair like this, then keep it. Honestly, it’s grown on me. I’ll talk to your homeroom teacher, don’t worry. As long as it’s not breaking any rules or laws, Mr. Whitley supports whatever makes you happy.”

Pretending not to notice her anxiety, Parrish ruffled her hair. He still didn’t quite get why kids these days dyed their hair all sorts of wild colors, but he tried to understand–and more importantly, he respected her choices.

Alessia managed a small smile and nodded.

“Is Ms. June asleep?” he asked.

“She is.”

“I’ll carry her to her room then. She tosses and turns all night if I don’t. And look at you–those dark circles under your eyes. Get some proper rest tonight, okay? How about a trip somewhere? You’ve already skipped a week of school–why not take another ten days or so? We could all go on a family vacation.”

“Let’s wait until summer break,” Alessia said. “I want to catch up at school. I’ve missed a lot and need to make up for it.”

“Alright. Just don’t overdo it—your health comes first.”

father, Parrish rarely voiced his worries, choosing instead to show

reserved for Jade. Yet, in his own awkward way, Parrish still tried to look after Alessia,

just a week. Truthfully, even if Cole hadn’t gone looking for her that night,

1/3

Chapter 237

while.

realized something important–her life was her own. She needed to live for herself, to treasure the people who truly cared about

life.

with a gentle, ordinary

just when it seemed like things would always stay this way, tragedy

up over his body. The doctor explained that he’d passed before they arrived, without even

clinging to life. Even if she miraculously survived, she would spend the rest of

members, please come forward,” a nurse

moved to pull back the sheet; neither of them could

doctor didn’t rush them. He gave them all the time

go on. You should

“Okay.”

stayed locked together, neither willing to let go, neither moving toward

is still waiting for