Meanwhile, Alessia had asked Butler Dawson to pick up York at the designated spot, while she and Ivan were being driven home by Cole.
Since the car couldn’t get any closer, Cole got out and walked them the rest of the
way.
“Try to get some rest tonight, and don’t overthink things,” Alessia said, holding Ivan’s hand. Her gaze lingered on Cole, full of concern.
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll take care of myself,” Cole replied, gently tucking a stray lock of her hair behind her ear. “Next time, I’ll bring a proper gift ande meet your parents officially.”
Alessia nodded, her worry not quite fading.
“And stop working sote,” she chided softly. “The Whitley Group isn’t going to fall apart if you let a deal or two go. I know how much responsibility you shoulder, but you don’t have to carry it all alone.”
Cole smiled, a bit rueful. He knew she was right, but the weight of his family’s legacy always pressed on him.
“If you’re taking the twins to the amusement park next week, let me pick you all up,” he offered, changing the subject. “After everything that’s happenedtely, you could use a break.”
Alessia saw right through him. Cole never made promises lightly, especially if he wasn’t sure he could keep them.
“Okay.” She met his eyes, deciding not to push the matter any further.
“Go on inside,” Cole said, though his fingers lingered in her hair, unwilling to let go just yet. His words said one thing, but his actions betrayed his reluctance.
Ivan tugged Alessia’s hand gently. “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.” Cole remained where he was, a faint, warm smile on his lips.
Alessia, usually so decisive and self–assured, found herself ncing back at Cole with every few steps. But truth be told, Cole was just as reluctant to part ways.
The next morning, Alessia left the house alone and headed to the clinic. Zachary was busy helping with preparations for the grand opening, so he wasn’t there today.
<b>14-42 </b>
She <b>pushed </b>open the familiar <b>door</b>, <b>only </b><b>to </b>find <b>it </b>locked for once. Alessia <b>knocked</b><b>, </b>and soon <b>Six </b>appeared to let her in.
“Miss Alessia, what brings you here so early?” Six looked surprised. “Did the Morton family give you trouble? I told you, you should just move in here–never- liked that Zachary guy. The other day he came by saying he messed things up, so I gave him a left hook right to the jaw…”
“You hit him?” Alessia suddenly recalled the bruise on Zachary’s face when she’d seen him after school.
“Well… yeah.” Six hesitated under her questioning, looking a little sheepish.
“Why’d you do that?” Alessia asked, genuinely puzzled.
“He upset you, didn’t he?” Six answered, looking confused himself.
Alessia could only shake her head, finally understanding Zachary’s odd way of thinking, but she had more pressing matters.
“Where’s Master?”
“He’s been holed up in the dispensary since he got backst night. I brought him dinner in there, and if I hadn’t forced him to bed, he’d have stayed up all night. When I woke up and didn’t see him in the courtyard, I figured he’d just overslept–but turns out he was already back in the dispensary, tinkering with something.”
Six frowned. “Did something happen?”
“Next time, try not to use your fists so quickly,” Alessia said, flicking his forehead before heading to the dispensary.
Six rubbed his brow, bewildered. “So… was she upset or not?” he muttered to himself, picking up the broom he’d left by the door and getting back <i>to </i>sweeping the courtyard.
Alessia made her way straight to the dispensary, pausing at the door to knock.
“Just leave breakfast there, I’ll eat itter.”
“Master, it’s me–Alessia.”
There was a brief pause, then a voice from inside: “Come in.”
Receiving his permission, Alessia pushed open the door. She found Xander seated at the desk, surrounded by towering stacks of old medical books. He wore his reading sses, and as he looked up at her, he pushed them up the bridge of his nose with his finger.
<b>14:43 </b>