To Ileana, Alessia’s words were nothing short of a summons from hell.

    And as if on cue, the shrill wail of a police siren rang out nearby the moment Alessia finished speaking.

    Instinctively, Ileana tried to bolt, but Alessia had anticipated her imove /iand grabbed her arm before she could take a step.

    They struggled on opposite sides of the iron fence. Alessia was far stronger–a fact that would have been true even in Ileana’s prime, and now, weakened as she was, she stood no chance of breaking free.

    When the police arrived, Alessia simply stepped back and watched. She opened the gate, standing by as Ileana screamed and cursed,pletely losing her

    Alessia, meanwhile, remained asposed as ever, a faint, mocking smile curling at her lips–the sort of smile that, to Ileana, felt like open ridicule.

    “Everything you have should’ve been mine! You’re the real thief here. The Tate family should be mine. The Morton family, too. It all belongs to me!”

    “Well, you’d better call up Max Tate and Ethan, then–if you can even get ahold of them. Goodbye, enjoy your private suite. You’ve always liked having things all to yourself, haven’t you, princess?”

    Alessia wavednguidly, her tone light and teasing, expression the picture of innocence. But Ileana was so furious she looked ready to tear Alessia apart on the

    spot.

    The police car disappeared down the street, leaving only the echo of its sirens

    behind.

    With the spectacle over, Alessia arched an eyebrow–clearly unbothered by Ileana’s outburst–then went back inside. She found Karen just hanging up the phone.

    “Lessie, are you okay?” Karen looked her over, worry in her eyes.

    “Aren’t you going to ask if Ileana’s alright?” Alessia replied.

    Karen shook her head. “After everything she’s done… If I was still soft–hearted, I’d be no better than a fool. I’d sooner pack my bags and leave this house.”

    “She brought this on herself. No one else to me. All we can do is focus on living

    09:57

    Chapter b311 /b

    our own lives.”

    She gave Alessia’s shoulder aforting squeeze. “I made lemon cake this morning–it’s still warm in the oven. Have a piece to tide iyou /iover until dinner, alright? We’ll eat properly when your brothers get home.”

    Alessia nodded, and neither of them mentioned Ileana again, as if she’d never set foot in their home.

    That evening, Ethan and the others trickled in one after another.

    Since Alessia had started school, Ivan sometimes went weeks without seeing her, so when she was home, he stuck to her like glue. Even at dinner, he dragged his chair right up beside hers, refusing to let her out of his sight.

    School had changed Ivan–having York Tate and Zane around had brightened his spirits. He still didn’t say much, but he was no longer the withdrawn boy who’d lock himself in his room to draw all day.

    On weekends, he still visited Eddie. At some point, Eddie’s little garden had turned into a mini day–care: Ivan painted quietly inside while the two other kids and a dog yed outside, everyone keeping to themselves but enjoying each other’spany. Sometimes, Eddie would post Ivan’s artwork online or disy it at his own shows. asionally he’d take Ivan to meet other artists in themunity–but always with the Mortons‘ approval, and only if Ivan wanted to go.

    “These days, the rumors online are finally dying down. I sent cease–and–desist letters to the worst offenders, and anyone who didn’t apologize can wait for their day in court,” Ethan announced over dinner, sounding unusually proud.

    “Oh, by the way, Ileana showed up this afternoon,” Alessia added between bites. “I called the police and handed over proof of her drug use. She’ll be spending the next few years somewhere with plenty of time to think.”