<b>“</b><b>Yeah</b><b>,</b><b>” </b><b>Ste </b>sighed, shaking her head. “Looks like the second <b>son </b><b>of the </b><b>Tate </b>family really can’t stand his older sister.”
<b>“</b>No matter how much York dislikes her, he’d never push her down the <b>stairs</b><b>.</b><b>” </b>Alessia’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully as her fingers tapped a steady <b>rhythm </b><b>on </b><b>the </b>tabletop.
“You think there’s more to the story?” Ste didn’t doubt Alessia’s instincts for <b>a </b>
second.
“I need to make a call.” Alessia stood up, already halfway out the <i>door </i>before Ste could respond.
Ste raised an eyebrow. “Pretends not to care, but she’s worried as hell.”
“What’s got Alessia running in and out like that?” someone asked.
“Mind your own business,” Pierce piped up, leaning in. Ste promptly pushed him back with a finger to his forehead.
At the stairwell, Alessia was just about to dial when her phone lit up–Karen was calling first.
“Mom? What’s wrong?”
“Lessie, York just showed up at the house. He’s acting strange, won’t answer any of my questions. Do you want toe home and check on him?”
“York’s at home?”
“Yes, just got here. He’s sitting in the living room with the dog, hasn’t touched the fruit I brought him, just staring off into space. Honestly, it’s kind of unsettling.”
“Got it. Mom, keep an eye on him. I’ming home now.”
“Alright, don’t worry, I’ll stay with him. Drive safe, honey.”
“Okay.” Alessia hung up and headed back into the ssroom.
“I’ve got to go,” she said, grabbing her backpack.
“Where to?” Ste asked.
“York’s at my ce. I need to check on him.”
13.38
<b>Your </b><b>ce</b>? I’ll <be </b><b>with </b><b>I </b>brought <b>the </b>bike today: Ste blinked, but the <b>already </b><b>up </b><b>and </b><b>slinging </b><b>her </b><b>own </b><b>bag </b><b>over </b>her <b>shoulder</b><b>. </b>
<b>“</b><b>Sure</b><b>.</b><b>” </b><b>Alessia </b><b>didn’t </b><b>hesitate</b>.
“<b>Pierce</b><b>, </b><b>cover </b><b>for </b>us–tell the prof we had to leave<b>,</b><b>” </b><b>Ste </b>called.
“<b>Wait</b><b>, </b>what? You’re both leaving? Why? Onees, two go–what’s <b>happening </b>here?<b>” </b>Pierce looked utterly bewildered.
Neither of them answered. They just waved over their shoulders and <b>disappeared </b>out of the building.
Ste tossed a helmet to Alessia, who caught it and slipped it on with practiced ease. She swung her long legs over the bike and settled in as Ste revved the engine. In seconds, they shot off like a pair of arrows, the motorcycle’s roar echoing down the street. What should’ve been a thirty–minute ride took Ste less than fifteen.
<b>“</b>I’ll wait here. If you need anything, call me.” Ste took her helmet back.
Alessia bumped her fist against Ste’s, then hurried inside. Ste watched until Alessia vanished into the building, then pulled down her visor and sped away.
The front door hung slightly ajar. Alessia pushed it open and stepped inside. Karen appeared at the sound, motioning quietly to the living room. Alessia nodded, swapped her shoes, and walked in–only to find York sprawled on the couch, the family dog curled up loyally beside him.
York lookedpletely spaced out, while the dog wagged its tail and panted, content to just be there. Strangely enough, Ivan was sitting nearby, silently watching the pair.
The whole scene was oddly surreal.
Before Alessia could say anything, her phone rang again–this time it was Dawson, the butler. She answered with no attempt at privacy.
“He’s here with me.”
“No need, I’ll have someone bring him back tomorrow. He’s staying here tonight.”
“The senior Tates won’t object, don’t worry.”
She hung up and finally let out a breath. Dropping her bag onto the floor, she wondered why she’d even bothereding home for it at lunch.
“What happened?” Alessia sat down beside York, making sure she was at eye level,
<b>13:38 </b>
Chapter <b>139 </b>
hoping not toe off as too intimidating.
“It wasn’t me who pushed her.” The words came out of nowhere, but the hurt in
York’s voice was unmistakable.