" Are you home alone ? Did you hire any help ? " " Yeah , we have someone who comes in . Zachary and the others come back after school , too . " " But Liam and I both work part - time.on weekends , so we're not around all that much . " " Lessie , are you saying … that someone mistreated Ivan behind our backs ? Is that why he's so guarded now ? " Brendan finally caught on to what Alessia was getting at . " But we have security cameras in the house . Things weren't great back then , so we could only afford one lady to come cook for us - she'd make our meals and leave right after . Besides , Ivan barely ever left his room at that time . He wouldn't have even crossed paths with her . " Zachary didn't think Alessia's guess was out of line . Instead , he answered her seriously, helping her piece together how things were at home back then . " But Ileana did spend quite a bit of time with Ivan when the rest of us weren't home . " Karen's words slipped out before she realized , and she quickly glanced at Alessia , a little anxious about her reaction . Alessia , however , was lost in her own thoughts , oblivious to Karen's unease . Brendan and Zachary exchanged a look and shook their heads . They had no idea how Alessia felt about Ileana these days , and they didn't want her to think they were still taking Ileana's side . That would only make things worse . d headed The conversation ended there . Alessia knew there was no point in going around in circles . She glanced at her neatly bandaged arm , murmured something back to her room . Inside , everything was as calm as ever , as if nothing had happened at all . Alessia paused by the curtains for a moment , debating whether to pull them aside , but decided against it - she didn't want to risk getting bitten on her other hand . She walked over to the bed . Her white T - shirt was still folded neatly on top , just as she'd left it . The only new thing was a small collection of paint jars and a handful of brushes on the nightstand . It was obvious the owner treasured these paints ; though the jars had been opened , they were spotless . Alessia absentmindedly bit her lip , her gaze lingering on the colorful jars . 13:50 Chapter 44 . Eventually , she turned and left the room . " Dad , Mom . " Her parents were in the kitchen , putting away what was left from their early - morning bakery shift . " What's up , Lessie ? " Zachary came over , too , having just stepped out to get a glass of water . Ever since he'd started apprenticing , any spare moment was spent studying - he was terrified of disappointing Xander , his mentor . The pressure was intense , but he felt so much more alive than he used to , even physically lighter . " Is it okay if I take Ivan out next week ? " " Take him out ? Well , sure , but … do you think Ivan will even want to go ? " Karen answered , looking a little uncertain . " Where are you planning to take him ? " Zachary asked , more out of curiosity than anything . " To meet someone . " " To meet someone? " Karen frowned . " Listen , Lessie , I don't mean to be a downer , but even if that person will see you , just getting Ivan out the door is going to be a challenge . " " Yeah , what's this all about ? Who do you want him to meet ? " Brendan chimed in . " It's not like you're introducing him to some big - shot in the industry again , are you ? " Zachary suddenly remembered how Alessia had sprung Xander on him once , but quickly dismissed the idea - how many industry heavyweights could a seventeen - year - old possibly know ? Sure , she'd met some impressive people through the Tate family or sheer luck , but no one could know everyone . He shook his head and took a sip of water . " Eddie Chase is coming back to the States next week . I want to take Ivan to see him . Eddie's an artist , too - maybe he can help . " Zachary choked on his water , spraying it everywhere .