Alessia , having finished her ice cream , tossed the stick into a nearby trash can without breaking her stride . " Let me make one thing clear , " she said , her tone brisk . " I'm Alessia . I've never been the type to let other people's opinions dictate what I do . If I want to do something , I'll do it , no matter how many people tell me not to . If I don't want to , no amount of pressure or persuasion will move me . My choices are my own . But you all - look at you . I haven't even said anything , and each of you is acting like you're suffering on my behalf . " Liam finally realized what was wrong . They always claimed they saw Alessia as family , but everything they did seemed to push her out , as if she were some distant relative - cordial , polite , but always at arm's length . God forbid she felt out of place or unwelcome . They'd been getting it wrong from the very start . He opened his mouth , then closed it again , unable to find the words . Suddenly , Lucy's words from earlier flashed through his mind . " You don't need to worry about tuition . Sure , we can't give you the kind of life you had with the Tate family , but when it comes to your studies , just keep going as you have been . School , classes - don't let anything change that . " Alessia caught his drift almost immediately , even though his comment seemed to come out of nowhere . " Do you want to go back to school ? " she asked , not rushing to answer , but instead throwing the question back at him . " Huh ? " Liam was caught off guard . " Do you want to go back to college ? " Alessia repeated patiently . Liam hesitated , then shrugged . " Working part - time washing dishes during the day , singing at a bar in the evenings - it's not so bad . Honestly , it feels like I'm getting a head start on my dream . It's … fine . " The last word came out soft , as if he were trying to convince himself . Alessia rolled her eyes . " That's not what I asked . I'm asking if you want to go back to school . Yes or no ? " 1/2 15:40 He gave a bitter little laugh . " Of course I do . But I go to an art college , and that costs money . With the way things are at home , do you really think I could just take my parents ' money and go to class every day without feeling guilty ? " He caught himself , realizing his tone was harsher than he intended , and paused before going on . " My older brother didn't take a break from school because he's about to start his internship . Zachary's finishing his senior year , so he can't drop out . I'm the only one who can take the pressure off - both time and money . Taking this break saves on tuition , and what I earn can actually help out at home . " " My tuition's covered , so you don't have to worry about me , " Alessia said . " As for you , how about we make a deal ? " " A deal ? " " Yeah . " She nodded , her tone firm . " I'll cover your tuition for all four years . In exchange , you work for me for five . " " Work … for you ? " " I'll provide you with opportunities . You can keep studying and pursue your dream at the same time . After five years , you pay me back for your college tuition . During those five years , we split any profits from business gigs - forty percent for me , sixty for you . After that , you're free to walk away or renew the contract . What do you say ? " Liam hesitated , and Alessia mistook it for dissatisfaction with the offer . " A forty - sixty split is better than most newcomers get . That's the kind of deal only A - list talent gets . When Tristan Hollis signed with me , he only got thirty - seventy - thirty for him , seventy for me . " She rattled off the terms so matter - of - factly , Liam's brain just froze . " Wait …you … are you talking about Tristan ? As in , Tristan - the same guy who became a superstar in his first year , cranked out hit after hit , then crossed over into film and won Best Actor on his debut ? " 212