A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

Chapter 480

Chapter 480

She looked utterly exhausted, but the soft, steady rhythm of her breathing brought a measure of relief to those around her.

Cole brought Alessia’s hand to his cheek, holding it there as if it were the only thing tethering him to this world. “I love you so much. Thank you for waking up, Lessie,” he whispered.

In that moment, he seemed so fragile, a far cry from the ruthless sixteen–year–old who’d once taken charge of the failing Whitley Group and dragged it back from the brink of bankruptcy. It was hard to believe

this was the same Cole.

He was barely past twenty, having gained so much and lost éven more. The grief of losing someone he loved had become more than he could bear; he simply couldn’t survive it again.

Three more days passed. Alessia’s condition finally stabilized, though she still had a mild concussion and a fractured arm that would require weeks of rest and recovery.

But waking up at all was already a miracle—everything else could wait. That was what everyone kept telling themselves.

The day she regained consciousness felt like the day she was dragged back from the edge of death.

According to Karen, that day had been an absolute nightmare for

everyone.

full twenty–four hours. No one dared sleep; they all stood vigil outside the operating room, tense and terrified. Even people who had no idea who was inside gathered around, convinced that someone important must

security to clear the hallway. As for Cole,

who tried to speak to him.

10

Chapter 480

almost terrifying in his

one doubted for a second that, if anything happened to Alessia, Cole would have followed

that ordeal was

half lost in Karen’s retelling of those terrible hours, opened her mouth and swallowed

picturing the

She’d lost so much weight in her fight for life

heartbreakingly fragile.

empty bowl. “Once you’re home, I’ll make you something hearty to help you get your strength back. You were already so thin–if a breeze

let out a soft laugh. “I’m not that fragile,

White!” Two voices called

and Queenie.

to see you, girls.” Karen