“I heard it from my ssmates–they said today’s the family reunion dinner. I know you’re feeling down, but we’re family. You don’t have to shoulder everything on <b>your </b>own. If you ever need to cry, you can always lean on your big brother.” As Zachary spoke, he patted his own shoulder, his face flushed bright red with nerves.
Alessia couldn’t help but smile at his misunderstanding. She quickly rified, “A friend’s out of town and asked me to do him a favor, that’s all.”
“Really?” Zachary’s skepticism was obvious.
“Really!” Alessia answered with patience, her tone firm, though something in her insistence made Zachary’s heart ache for her.
He ruffled her hair gently. “Come home early. I’ll pick you up.”
She nodded, understanding he didn’t believe her, but seeing no need to argue. The bus home arrived first. Once Zachary left, a ck sedan pulled up in front of her.
Without hesitation, Alessia opened the door and climbed in. The driver was a woman with short hair, ck–rimmed sses, and a crisp business suit, her expression unreadable.
“Ma’am.”
“Vera? I thought someone else wasing.”
“I just checked on thetest partnership negotiations and brought the documents for you to review.” Vera handed Alessia a folder from the passenger seat.
Alessia took it without surprise and flipped through the pages. “What’s the situation with the Summers family?”
“They’ve caused a scene twice. Thest time, security had to escort them out. After they found someone else to take over, they haven’t been back.”
Alessia nodded, and silence settled in the car.
The car wound its way toward the outskirts of town, passing rows of detached houses. Here and there, a few people strolled along the quiet streets. The signed paperworky forgotten beside her as Alessia gazed out the window, her expression growing heavier with each passing moment.
At the front gate, Alessia lowered her window. As soon as her face came into view, the gate slowly swung open. Vera drove inside. In the front garden, several
gardeners were tending to the flowers and shrubs. When they saw Alessia, they all
<b>14:43 </b>
paused, bowing respectfully in unison.
“Miss Morton.” The butler was already waiting at the door.
“I’ll be right here if you need anything.”
Alessia nodded and stepped into the house.
“How’s Mrs. June today, Dailey?” she asked as she slipped off her shoes and made her way upstairs with practiced ease.
“The same as always,” Dailey replied with a weary sigh.
Dailey had served as the Whitley family’s housekeeper ever since Cole’s mother remarried and moved in. She’d practically watched Cole grow up. Two years ago, after the ident, she was transferred here to care for Cole’s mother–Jade June–who had been in aa ever since, as well as to manage the daily affairs of the house.
“Has Father Benedict been by yet?”
“He came this morning. Gave her an acupuncture treatment and checked on her.”
Alessia nodded and didn’t press further. Dailey opened the bedroom door; the evening sun streamed through the gauzy curtains. Alessia stepped forward, closing the window until just a sliver of air remained. The house was quiet; the only sound in the room was the steady beep of the monitors.
On the bed, a frail womany perfectly still, her beauty undiminished despite everything. No matter how many times Alessia saw her like this, she was always left with a bittersweet ache. Jade had been so lively and full of fun, and now, she’d been confined to this bed for two years.
Alessia sat at the bedside and began to massage Jade’s limbs with practiced care. Dailey brought her a ss of water, then quietly withdrew, giving them privacy.
By the time Alessia finished, dusk had fallen.
She brushed a stray lock of hair from Jade’s forehead, her movements gentle, her eyes filled with sorrow.
“Auntie,” she whispered, “you used to joke you wished I wasn’t the Tate family’s daughter, so you could have me as your own. Well, look at me now. I’m no longer the Tate family’s heiress.”
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