A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

Chapter 469

“Susannah, listen to me–don’t fall asleep, okay?”

In the pitch–dark, cramped space, Alessia cradled Susannah Holt tightly in

her arms.

The earthquake had struck just as Alessia was in her office, asking Susannah to hand out the last test paper. Susannah hadn’t even made it out the door before the ceiling came crashing down.

With quick reflexes, Alessia had yanked Susannah back just in time. Before either of them could say a word, the old school building collapsed in a roar. Alessia’s instincts kicked in–she wrapped herself around Susannah, sheltering her under the heavy desk.

They felt the world heaving beneath them, and somewhere nearby, screams pierced the chaos–then, in an instant, the noise was swallowed up by falling rubble. No one made it out. The entire building caved in, trapping everyone under debris.

The desk shielded them, but as everything plummeted, all Alessia could do was hold Susannah close. There was no chance to escape, no room for heroics. No matter how strong you are, nature can reduce you to nothing in a heartbeat.

Alessia only regained consciousness when Susannah’s trembling voice called her back. The girl was crying, whispering Alessia’s name again and again, sounding like a ghost in the darkness.

Out of habit, Alessia tried to ruffle Susannah’s hair, but something felt wrong–her own arm wouldn’t move properly. She pressed her lips together, switched hands, and gently comforted the girl.

“Don’t cry, Susannah. I’m right here. We can’t waste our strength–we have to wait for help. Do you understand?”

Hearing Alessia’s voice soothed Susannah’s fear a little. She nodded, though in this absolute darkness, Alessia couldn’t see a thing.

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Chapter 469

you hurt?” The last

Alessia’s anxious face, the way she’d pulled her close and

Susannah’s first

to

we

not going to die.” Alessia’s answer was firm, leaving no room for

Until then, we need

sleeve. Alessia’s thin body was the only barrier between the child and the crushing weight

their breathing filled the space. Susannah sniffled, picking up the metallic tang of rust in the

no room to move–she could only

knew Susannah was in pain, but there was nothing she could do. All they could manage was to huddle together, hoping for rescue. Alessia ran her hand along the floor, the faint scraping sounds

Susannah’s skin crawl.

are you doing?”

a

“A rock?”

we bang on the debris above us, it’ll be more effective than shouting.

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