A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

Chapter 280

“Lessie, happy birthday! Come on, make a wish and blow out the candles!” Brendan’s grin looked a little goofy in the soft candlelight.

Obedient as ever, Alessia closed her eyes and made a wish.

She’d never really believed in these sorts of things, but after everything she’d been through, all she truly wanted was for the people she loved to be safe and healthy. As for Cole–she hoped he could be just a little happier than everyone else.

As soon as the candles flickered out, Ivan burst into applause, his eyes shining with excitement, practically acting as if he were the guest of honor himself.

“Thank you, Mom and Dad.”

“Mae made the cake,” her father said.

Alessia followed their gaze and finally spotted Mae standing quietly behind Zachary. Mae was so petite that, with Zachary blocking her, Alessia hadn’t even noticed her until now.

“Mae, I’ve troubled you so much all this time,” Alessia said sincerely.

“Oh, it’s nothing, really,” Mae replied, rubbing her hands nervously on her skirt, a shy smile on her face.

Karen said, wrapping an arm around Alessia. “I cooked a whole table

toward the dining room.

they walked. “He told me he had a

had mentioned something about Liam working on a new song, but between her and Cole preparing for their finals, she’d left everything else to the others.

about to start, isn’t it?” Zachary said, glancing at the clock

the TV.

carefully placing pieces in front of

as she sat, the game ended and Liam appeared on screen, introducing

show

7/2

09:34

my little sister’s birthday,” Liam began. “Six months ago, my birth sister came home. Of course, that was right when our family lost everything.

his fans in the audience shouted

like the clueless little brother around her. I owe so much of what I’ve

audience laughed,

smiled, trying to look composed, but her ears had already turned bright red. Ethan noticed and