EuropeNovelChapter 8
“Eat up, have smore,” Brendan said warmly, piling another slice of roast onto her plate.
“If there's anything you're craving, just tell me,” his mother added. “I'll make it for
you.”
Alessia nodded, quietly tucking into her meal. The easy back-and-forth around the table was a warmth she'd
rarely known in her seventeen years. Maybe it was the inviting atmosphere, maybe she just couldn't refuse their
kindness, but even though her appetite usually vanished in front of such a feast, she managed to finish at whole
bow! of rice-which was no small feat for her.
If the eldest Tate boy ever heard of it, another round of chefs would probably be packing their knives at the Tate
estate.
By the end of the meal, the awkward tension had faded. Ethan headed back to campus, while Alessia excused
herself upstairs to pack her things. She didn’t have much to her name, so it didn’t take long.
Lying on the bed, she breathed in the fresh scent of sun-dried sheets and laundry soap. The little desk fan
creaked and spun, stirring the air-no air conditioning, but it didn’t feel stuffy at all.
Outside, she could hear the Mortons talking in hushed voices. Through the window drifted the muffled sounds of
other families going about their lives. For someone used to the silence of gated communities, the vague
commotion was oddly comforting. She remembered, vaguely, that when she was very young, she'd known
this kind of life too.
Neither the Mortons‘ good fortune nor Tate Holdings’ success had always ceasy. When Alessia was little,
there had been hard times too. She'd just been lucky, those years of struggle ending quickly, and she'd grown up
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtin comfort ever since.
She didn’t know why, but those almost-forgotten memories crushing back tonight.
“Asleep?”
“Asleep.”
“She must be tired. Let her rest, poor girl...”
“I noticed she liked the stir-fried pork. I'll pick up smore tomorrow.”
1/3
13.55
“Good idea. How's Zachary feeling today?”
Alessia caught the sound of a sigh through the wall, then nothing more.
She'd expected to toss and turn, but Alessia slept deeply, dreamless and peaceful. By the tshe woke, the
house was quiet-just her, Karen, and little lvan were home.
“Morning, Lessie! Did you sleep well?” Karen was mopping the floor, her smile gentle and kind, the very picture
of a nurturing mother.
“Yeah. The sheets smell wonderful. | slept great.”
“That's good. The soup’s still hot-I'll pour you a bowl. Your dad and the boys are all out and won’t be hfor
lunch. If there's something you want to eat later, letknow and I'll make it.”
In a wealthy family, another mouth at the table hardly mattered; in a struggling one, even one less was a relief.
Still, Alessia could feel the Mortons’ genuine care.
“No need, | can make something myself. Is there anything | can help with?“.
“Not right now, but would you cwithto the farmer's market later?”
“Sure,” Alessia agreed. Better to keep busy than sit around lost in thought.
She finished breakfast quickly and washed her own dishes without being asked. Karen didn’t stop her, just smiled
and showed her where everything went, explaining in her gentle voice.
Their interaction was easy, unforced. Maybe it was Karen's softness, or maybe Alessia just wanted to belong, but
she found herself relaxing, fitting in almost without trying.
Once everything was tidied away, Karen grabbed her shopping basket. Alessia slipped on her shoes and waited
by the door.
“Will Ivan be alright on his own?” Alessia asked as they were leaving, a hint of worry in her voice.
« . . . a R
Ivan likes drawing by himself in his
» «
room,” Karen PARAS dhe)
r 1a or)
Eee Sow d for him—it'd
: H H ”
only make him anxious.” The content
is on novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
Alessia nodded, not pressing further, and instinctively took the shopping basket from Karen.
Karen paused, surprised, but then
smiled softly and reached for m
ia &r Fingérs
ASSES # rs were
slender; but Alessia could feel the
faint calluses—proof of someone The
content is on novelenglish.net! Read
the latest chapter there!
213
13.55
Chapter 8
new to hard work, learning as she went.
. )
Alessia wasn't usually comfortable
3 o . ),
with physical Rye didn’t
" Awa She &ul sense Karen
refax beside her, just a little. The
content is on novelenglish.net! Read
the latest chapter there!
15355
Visit our social media platform to read fascinating stories every day and connect with the community!
