“Mom, Dad, even my brothers don’t know–just stop lecturing me, okay? I’m starving. What’s for dinner tonight?”
A few years ago, Alessia would never have imagined herself speaking in such a soft, almost childlike tone–especially not to her own family.
“We’re making your favorite tonight–pan–seared pork, Just wait, I’ll get started right now,” Karen replied with a warm smile.
“I’ll help with the veggies. Let’s get moving.” Brendan thumped Ethan and Liam on the head–just hard enough to make them yelp–before following Karen into the kitchen.
Ivan slid onto the couch next to Alessia, carefully taking her hand in his and blowing on it as if to heal an invisible wound, making her giggle at the ticklish
sensation.
She couldn’t help but smile, ruffling his hair with her free hand. “Thank you, buddy.”
“Does it still hurt?” Ivan’s eyes were wide and damp, filled with concern.
“It doesn’t hurt anymore.” Alessia gently pinched his cheek. “Did you have fun at school today?”
Ivan nodded. His words still came out haltingly, but he was definitely talking more than he used to. Clutching her hand, heunched into a story about York and Zane arguing again, then taking him bug–hunting, how York startled the teacher and tried to me it all on Zane…
Alessia listened patiently,ughing at the right moments, warmth filling the room.
Her three hopeless brothers were smart enough not to break the peace, each busy with their own chores. It was <b>rare </b>for the whole family to gather like this–just to share a meal and enjoy the quietfort of being together.
But over at the Tate household, things couldn’t have felt more different.
Ileanay on her bed, her face ashen. The doctor had checked her over and found no physical injuries–her wounds, it seemed, ran much deeper.
“Sir…”
Dawson, the butler, bowed slightly as Scott stormed down the hall.
“Where is she?” Scott’s voice was tight with anger.
13:31
<b>The </b>youngdy is <b>in </b>her room, <b>sir</b><b>.</b><b>” </b>
Without waiting for more, Scott barreled down the corridor and threw open the bedroom door.
The bang startled Ileana awake. For a brief second, her eyes lit up–like someone drowning who’s <b>just </b>spotted a lifeline. But before she could say a word, Scott’s hand came down, striking her across the face.
“Dad!” Ileana clutched her cheek, disbelief and pain colliding in her eyes.
“What kind of mess have you gotten yourself into this time?” Scott’s shout made her flinch, shrinking back toward the headboard.
“I didn’t do anything!” she protested, voice trembling, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“You didn’t? If you didn’t, then why did that Whitley boy mention your name?” Scott’s voice was cold,
every word dripping with usation.
He’d nearly lost hisposure when he learned the business deal had fallen through–all because of the daughter he’d only just weed back into the family.
“Do you have any idea what this deal could have meant for Tate Holdings? The profits we’ve just lost–because of you! You ruined everything!” His anger only. grew, and he yanked Ileana by the hair,nding another p on the other side of her face.
Her cheeks swelled and burned, leaving Ileana sobbing and huddling in the corner, clutching her nket as she shook.
“What exactly did you do?” Scott forced himself to take a slow, deep breath, struggling to keep his rage in check.
“It wasn’t me… it was Alessia.” Ileana sat there, dazed and broken, tears spilling over hershes. “It was Alessia… She ganged up with the others and bullied me. It was Alessia…”
She repeated her sister’s name like a mantra, as if ming Alessia could excuse everything–as if it was Alessia who’d ruined her, Alessia who’d cost the Tate family that crucial contract.
Scott’s jaw tightened. “Alessia, Alessia! If you kept your distance from her, would any of this have happened? She doesn’t even carry the Tate name, yet people are willing to move mountains for her. You, on the other hand–you’ve got the Tate name, but all you ever do is cause me trouble and shame. What else are you good for?”
Chapter <b>218 </b>