" I'll go get your room ready . You can rest for a bit . Usually , we're not home much - most of the time it's just Mom and my little brother here . Save my number , and if you need anything , just give me a call ." " Okay . " After exchanging numbers , Ethan disappeared into one of the bedrooms . Once everyone had scattered , the small living room suddenly felt spacious , filled with the lingering aroma of dinner . Alessia glanced down at her phone , at a muted group chat named " Family ," and couldn't help but smile faintly . After a pause , she made her way to her new room . She'd expected it to be cramped and cluttered , but to her surprise , it was spotless - there was even a large window that must let in plenty of sunlight during the day . The care they showed Ileana was more than Alessia had imagined . She couldn't quite describe how she felt about it , so instead , she watched Ethan as he smoothed a fresh sheet across the bed . " This is the master bedroom , isn't it ? " " Yeah . The linens are all clean , and Mom tidies up the room every day , so everything's in order . " Ethan straightened the mattress pad and dusted off his hands , though there was nothing there . " There are only three bedrooms . Where does everyone sleep ? " " I stay at the dorms . Zachary , Liam, and Ivan share a room , and my parents have the other . " " You all really go out of your way for Ileana . " Alessia's casual remark hung in the air , suddenly making the atmosphere a little awkward . " Don't overthink it . Now that you've decided to stay here , whatever Ileana has , you'll have too . We don't treat anyone differently . If you need anything , just tell me and I'll do what I can . " " I'm fine , really . Everything's great . " Alessia could tell Ethan had misunderstood her , but she had no intention of explaining . To her , the Morton family was just a place to stay until she turned eighteen . If she was honest , her decision to stay had as much to do with Ethan as with her own boredom - she just wanted a bit of excitement in her otherwise uneventful life . 1/3 15:35 Chapter She found herself wondering how these once - privileged people would handle their fall from grace . " I'll head out , then . I left your suitcase by the bed . " " Wait . " Alessia stopped him as he reached for the door . " What's up ? " " I just want to be upfront - I mean no offense . But since I'll be living here for a while , there are things I'd like to clear up . " " You're part of the family now . Nothing's off - limits . " Ethan closed the door behind him . " Before I came here , the Tate family gave me a folder about you all . It said Ivan has autism . Is that true ? " " It is . " Ethan didn't hesitate . " But you don't need to worry . Ivan's a sweet kid - he mostly keeps to himself in his room , drawing . He doesn't hurt anyone . It's partly our fault for missing the signs when times were good , and now , well , we can't really afford the right treatment . " Ethan's expression softened as he gave a small smile . " But even so , Ivan's a great kid . I hope you won't see him any differently . " " You're all really close ." Ethan stepped closer , and Alessia tensed as he reached out and gently ruffled her hair . " I can't judge what happened with Ileana , but since you chose to stay , I promise I'll do my best to make sure you're happy here . " That steady look in his eyes - she'd only seen it once before , in another life . The kind of determination that faces down cliffs and fire , knowing the only way is forward . They didn't say much more after that . The meal that night was simple but unexpectedly delicious . The Tate family might have had a private chef earning six figures , but Alessia couldn't remember the last time food tasted this good . " I wasn't sure what you'd like , so I just made the usual . Is it okay ? " Karen asked tentatively , while Brendan quietly slid the only plate of meat closer to her . " It's wonderful . You're a great cook . " 213 15-35 Chapter 7 Sensing Alessia's sincerity , Karen finally let herself relax a little .