A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

The sky on Jade’s funeral day was oppressively gray, the kind of heavy gloom that settled over everything. Cole stood at the front, holding her ashes, his lips pressed in a hard line and his face unreadable. On either side of him stood Xander and Alessia, silent and solemn.

Neither Jade nor Parrish had much family left, so the funeral was small. The only one who could be called a relative was Xander, who stood there in a black suit, leaning on his cane, his clouded eyes full of sorrow. Jade and Parrish had been like his own children–losing them both was a blow no parent should ever have to

face.

Six Dawson hovered protectively behind him. Usually, Six had the careless air of a teenager, but today, dressed in a suit, he seemed older, more serious, his features set in a maturity brought on by grief.

Stella and Justin stood farther back, along with a handful of old friends, people who had helped Cole through the hardest days at The Whitley Group. They were the kind of friends you only found in the darkest times.

A few raindrops began to fall, quickening into a steady patter. Black umbrellas opened one by one, spreading like somber flowers beneath the rain, deepening the suffocating hush.

Alessia tilted her umbrella to shield Cole, standing with him as he saw the last rites through to the end.

Afterward, thanks to Stella and Justin staying behind to help usher out the guests, Cole and Alessia were spared the awkwardness of trying to manage polite smiles for everyone’s condolences.

“Lessie, you haven’t slept in days, have you?” Stella’s voice was thick with concern.

“Do me a favor and tell Pierce I’m sorry I missed the final match,” Alessia rasped.

be ridiculous. This is hardly the time to worry about that… but I’ll let him know. Seriously,

shook her head. “Let

Stella’s eyes burned with tears, but she didn’t

Cole, seeing off the last of the guests. Normally impatient and brusque, Justin was unexpectedly steady, offering quiet

12:35

Chapter 239

only needed to stand at

stood there, eyes unfocused,

made his way

“Cole,” Six said quietly.

grown taller,” Cole managed a thin smile, ruffling Six’s hair. His voice

Six said softly. In the face

care of Mr. Dawson, all right? I’ll come visit

both soon.”

looked at Cole with aching

mother knew that even if she woke up, she’d spend the rest of her life in

wheelchair. She-”