" Is there anything Lessie doesn't eat ? " " I'm not a big fan of tomatoes . " Alessia answered honestly , skipping any false politeness . The conversation flowed easily between them . " You get that from your dad - he's not fond of them either , " Karen replied with a gentle smile . " Is there anything you do like ? I'll make it for you . " With their arms linked , the two of them looked every bit like the other mothers and daughters passing by on the street . Alessia noticed it too ; the corners of her lips lifted in a faint smile , and her eyes softened . She'd been to supermarkets plenty of times , but this was her first time at an open - air market . Watching Karen greet the vendors , haggle with practiced ease , Alessia couldn't help but imagine what it would be like if Yvonne - her birth mother - were here instead . Would she lower herself , chatting and bargaining back and forth just to save a few coins ? Alessia shook her head . She could only picture Yvonne negotiating with a cool , detached expression , never wasting a word . It was striking , really - the difference between someone who'd grown up with nothing , and someone who'd fallen from high places . One was gentle , the other forceful ; Alessia found the contrast fascinating . The market was crowded , voices rising and falling all around them . If you didn't speak right into someone's ear , you had to raise your voice just to be heard . At first , Alessia found it all new and interesting . Then it became noisy , and finally , she stopped thinking about it at all and just trailed obediently after Karen , listening as she explained which stall had the best deals and which vendors sometimes shortchanged you . When they stepped outside , all the clamor faded away . Alessia took a deep breath , feeling oddly like she'd stepped out of one world and into another . Just yesterday at this time , she'd been sleeping in a suite at one of the best hotels overseas . " Was it too loud for you ? " Karen caught on quickly to Alessia's unsettled mood . " I'm not much for crowds , " Alessia said with a small smile . 1/2 15.26 Chapter " I'm sorry . I thought you'd be bored staying home alone … " " No , it's fine - actually , if you don't mind , maybe next time you can bring me along again . " To her own surprise , Alessia made the request . Karen looked puzzled . " Haggling with the vendors is actually kind of fun . And you see things here you'd never find in a supermarket . I liked it . " Most of the time , when she went shopping , she just waited in the VIP lounge while someone brought her whatever she wanted . This was the first time in her life she'd experienced anything like this . Once Karen was sure Alessia wasn't just being polite , she relaxed and smiled . " This market is the biggest one nearby , and it stays open the latest . Some of the smaller ones open before dawn and shut down by eight in the morning . When I first moved here , I had no idea . If it hadn't been for the neighbor across the hall , I might never have found this place . " As they walked home , Karen's tone was light and cheerful as she told Alessia about the little helps she'd had since moving here , and her own tricks for getting the best deals . Alessia answered here and there , both of them sharing the weight of the shopping basket , winding through alleys on their way back . While chatting , Alessia kept half an eye on her surroundings , trying to memorize the route . That's when she caught sight of someone who looked strangely familiar . " What's wrong ? " Karen stopped when she saw Alessia pause . " That man … doesn't he look a lot like Dad ? " Karen followed Alessia's gaze . The moment she saw him , a shadow crossed her eyes , her smile faltering into a faint frown . Brendan sat alone on a bench outside their apartment building , dressed in a crisp suit with his briefcase at his side . His head was bowed , and the sunlight glinted off the white in his hair , making him look both lonely and worn . " I'll go call- " Lessie , shh ." Karen pressed a finger to her lips and shook her head . Alessia understood and quickly looked away , moving on with Karen down the path . " Lessie , when your dad comes home , don't ask him anything , okay ? " " I know . " Alessia was bright enough to realize that Karen was trying to protect Brendan's pride. פוף 15:36 A man who'd once held such a high position , suddenly bankrupt , forced to find work just to keep the family afloat - anyone could imagine what that felt like . Right now , Brendan's heart must be heavy enough already . 3/3