A Fake Heiress’s Guide to Love and Power novel Chapter 9

"Is there anything Lessie doesn't eat?"

"I'm not a big fan of tomatoes." Alessia answered honestly, skipping any false politeness. The conversation flowed easily between them.

"You get that from your dad—he's not fond of them either," Karen replied with a gentle smile.

"Is there anything you do like? I'll make it for you."

With their arms linked, the two of them looked every bit like the other mothers and daughters passing by on the street. Alessia noticed it too; the corners of her lips lifted in a faint smile, and her eyes softened.

She'd been to supermarkets plenty of times, but this was her first time at an open-air market. Watching Karen greet the vendors, haggle with practiced ease, Alessia couldn't help but imagine what it would be like if Yvonne—her birth mother—were here instead.

Would she lower herself, chatting and bargaining back and forth just to save a few coins? Alessia shook her head. She could only picture Yvonne negotiating with a cool, detached expression, never wasting a word.

It was striking, really—the difference between someone who'd grown up with nothing, and someone who'd fallen from high places. One was gentle, the other forceful; Alessia found the contrast fascinating.

The market was crowded, voices rising and falling all around them. If you didn't speak right into someone's ear, you had to raise your voice just to be heard.

At first, Alessia found it all new and interesting. Then it became noisy, and finally, she stopped thinking about it at all and just trailed obediently after Karen, listening as she explained which stall had the best deals and which vendors sometimes shortchanged you.

When they stepped outside, all the clamor faded away. Alessia took a deep breath, feeling oddly like she'd stepped out of one world and into another.

Just yesterday at this time, she'd been sleeping in a suite at one of the best hotels overseas.

"Was it too loud for you?" Karen caught on quickly to Alessia's unsettled mood.

"I'm not much for crowds," Alessia said with a small smile.

"I'm sorry. I thought you'd be bored staying home alone…"

"No, it's fine—actually, if you don't mind, maybe next time you can bring me along again." To her own surprise, Alessia made the request.

Brendan sat alone on a bench outside their apartment building, dressed in a crisp suit with his briefcase at his side. His head was bowed, and the sunlight glinted off the white in his hair, making him look both lonely and worn.

"I'll go call—"

"Lessie, shh." Karen pressed a finger to her lips and shook her head.

Alessia understood and quickly looked away, moving on with Karen down the path.

"Lessie, when your dad comes home, don't ask him anything, okay?"

"I know." Alessia was bright enough to realize that Karen was trying to protect Brendan's pride.

A man who'd once held such a high position, suddenly bankrupt, forced to find work just to keep the family afloat—anyone could imagine what that felt like.

Right now, Brendan's heart must be heavy enough already.