A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

Chapter 459

Chapter 459

After Susannah finished washing up for the night, she thought she’d say goodnight to Alessia. But as she passed the living room doors, she spotted Alessia standing in the yard, phone pressed to her ear.

It wasn’t that Alessia had a fondness for feeding mosquitoes-cell reception inside was terrible, so she had no choice but to step out into the garden. Even then, the call kept freezing and stuttering.

“You must be exhausted,” came Cole’s gentle voice through the earpiece, easing some of the tension from Alessia’s tired nerves.

“A little,” Alessia admitted, “It’s different from what I imagined. But everyone here is so welcoming. I’m staying with a student and her grandmother. She’s such a sweet girl-definitely not the same as looking after boys.”

Despite her fatigue, Alessia didn’t brush Cole off. She spoke earnestly, sharing her day and what she felt.

Cole chuckled softly, “Guess York and Ivan would be jealous if they heard that, huh?”

“I just messaged them. Those two rascals got together again, tried to convince their mom to let them visit. She wasn’t having any of it.”

“Ivan’s changed a lot-he’s much more outgoing now than when we first met.”

Cole was hunched over his desk in the only lit office in a sea of darkened windows. With his girlfriend away, sleep was elusive; work was the only distraction he had.

Not that he’d ever admit that to Alessia.

but with a playful lilt. “Don’t tell me you’re still at the

sent a chill

1/3

12 18

Chapter 459

I’d get ahead on some things. I’ll call it a night

let out a sigh. “Even the kids

sorry, Miss Lessie,”

the first day-how am I supposed to make it?” Cole sounded so plaintive she

her ear. She looked down, her expression gentle. “I know.

interrupted by

to see Susannah. “What’s up, Susannah? Not sleeping

hefted a plastic stool

you.” Alessia ruffled the girl’s hair, but her

as if she didn’t

meant. She smiled, letting it

a little wave

through again. “That’s the girl you told me

just