A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

love and power 242

Chapter 242

Alessia glanced toward the breakfast table, where a bowl of warm soup and a few pastries sat, still fresh–it looked like someone had only just set them out.

“After we eat, I need to head to the office for a bit,” she said. “You were up even later than I was last night, and now you’re awake so early. Go back to bed and get some rest once I leave.”

“I should stop by the company, too,” Cole replied. “There’s business with A&C Entertainment and A&P that needs my attention. The Whitley Group is in good hands with Larkin, so you’re the one who should really take it easy for once. I’ve already taken a month’s leave from school, so let me handle things at the office for now.”

They were always like this–each putting the other first, never themselves.

Neither was willing to back down, so they compromised. Each promised not to let work take over their lives.

Living together wasn’t as charged with romance as people might imagine. Instead, their days unfolded with the quiet comfort of a couple who’d been together for years. Sometimes, Alessia would reach for something only to find that Cole had already handed it to her before she even asked.

By day, they were both busy, each lost in their own responsibilities. But in the evenings, it became a ritual: the two of them would settle onto the porch swing in the garden, arms around each other, gazing up at the sky in companionable silence.

of them would feel tears prick at their eyes, but after a deep breath, they’d pull themselves together. They both cared too much to let the other see their sadness, and they knew that those who loved them wouldn’t want them to live in grief

sometimes they wondered–would it be so wrong to

for each other again. So they kept moving forward, just as they had two years ago, hoping that, in their dreams, they might find themselves as they were when they were young: lying with their heads

they knew it, the first snow

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the porch swing. Cole tucked Alessia’s hand into his coat pocket, while with his free hand, he

he pulled

you after the sports event.” He left the rest unsaid and opened the box. Inside was a slender silver bracelet, delicately crafted, its surface etched with tiny motifs. On

held out her hand in

and fastened it around her wrist, careful

you like it?” he

her palm until he felt the warmth rise in

gotten long,” Alessia said, brushing a stray lock from Cole’s

get it cut tomorrow.” They

dyed our hair that ridiculous parrot color?”