Karen and Brendan were just about to speak when Alessia shook her head at them. She stepped inside, hesitated, then closed the door and walked over ito /iIleana.

    “Is it really okay for Lessie to handle this alone?”

    “Lessie must have her reasons. We just need to trust her,” Brendan said, giving her shoulder a reassuring pat.

    “I bought a bunch of Lessie’s favorite things to make for dinner. She’s had a rough couple of days–let’s cook up something special to cheer her up.”

    Karen nodded, worry etched across her face as she headed to the kitchen. Suddenly, she paused, turned, and caught Brendan’s hand.

    “By the way, when did you run into Lessie? I hope I didn’t let her down today,” Karen said, still haunted by the thought of disappointing Alessia earlier.

    Brendan smiled, ruffling her hair. Even after decades of marriage, their rtionship was as steady and affectionate as ever.

    “Don’t worry. When I got home, Lessie was already sitting in the corner, but she seemedpletely fine. And we heard everything you said afterward–you did great! Honestly, I never expected you toy things out like that.”

    Relieved, Karen yfully pped Brendan’s chest.

    “If I couldn’t learn from the past by now, I’d have wasted half my life.”

    Brendan leaned down to kiss her. “Come on, let’s make something good for our girl.”

    “Oh, and give Ethan and the others a call, will you? They should know what happened today. Ask them toe by tonight so we can talk things over.”

    Karen nodded, and the two slipped easily into their usual routine–one making phone calls, the other washing vegetables–working together in perfect harmony.

    When it came to Alessia, their trust was absolute. Ileana wasn’t carrying anything dangerous, and security had already been called. Since Alessia wanted to handle things herself, as parents, they decided to step back and let her.

    Outside, Alessia and Ileana faced off on either side of the door.

    “Alessia!” Ileana’s voice was thick with resentment.

    “Ileana, you really are something–destroying yourself while dragging everyone else

    09:57

    down with youi,” /iAlessia said, eyeing Ileana’s pitiful state with a strange sense of

    admiration.

    After everything Ileana had done, she never once looked inward; it was always someone else’s fault. She was the living embodiment of ‘me anyone but yourself!’

    “It’s you! What did you tell my parents?” Ileana yelled, clutching the iron gate and shaking it so hard it rattled.

    “Tell me, Ileana, is it the drugs messing with your head, or are you just in denial?” Alessia’s calm was unshaken in the face of Ileana’s outburst.

    “You’re the one who sought out the Tates. You’re the one who walked away from the Mortons, swearing never to see them again. You were the bully, you spread the rumors–every single step, you chose for yourself.”

    Ileana stiffened. “No, this is all your fault! If it weren’t for you, the Tates and the Mortons would both be mine!”

    “Greed will swallow you whole,” Alessia said, shaking her head at Ileana’s delusions. “You’re beyond saving.”

    She held up her phone. “I’ve already called the police. I’ve gathered all the evidence about your activities here and sent it off. Good luck.”

    Ileana’s heart lurched. “What are you talking about? What do you mean?”

    “I mean, enjoy prison. Don’t bother showing up in my life again—you’re like a persistent fly. Weren’t you terrified of ending up on the streets? Congrattions, you just iwon /iyourself a private room, with meals included.”

    Chapter

    bChapter /bb311 /b