Fredric leaned in with a touch of concern in his voice, "Raines, what the heck has gotten into you, man? You've been looking rough." Raines waved the concern away with a casual flick of his wrist. "It's nothing. I'm on the mend now." He wasn't in the mood to delve deeper into the subject.

Aurelia exchanged a knowing glance with Leopold aside from her.

Either the guy was sick, or he was using it as an excuse to cover something else up. After all, a man doesn't just change his build overnight. Raines had always been built like a linebacker.

Seeing that his brother was clamming up, Fredric didn't push further. Everyone's got their secrets, after all.

Just then, Paz piped up, "Mr. Raines, how's Mrs. Elfreda holding up?" Raines let out a weary sigh, replying, "Mom's been diagnosed with Alzheimer's a while back. We've been managing with medication, but it's hit or miss. Sdays she doesn't even recognizeor Lisbeth." A look of sorrow passed over Paz. "Poor Mrs. Elfreda," she said. "Back in her younger days, she'd been jilted and left with a broken heart, sinking into depression. Just when Mr. Raines was coming into his own, ready to enjoy the good life, she gets hit with Alzheimer's." But in a bittersweet way, maybe it was a mercy that Elfreda could forget all those painful memories.

Fredric chimed in, "Out of all dad's ladies, my mom was the wild card. Had me, then leftwith Chad to marry sother dude." Aurelia mused, "Man or woman, we should all be a bit more carefree, not make life so tough on ourselves." Fredric chuckled, "You're one to talk, totally unfazed by your divorce, living life in full color. You're doing way better than Megan. I heard she cracked and got sent to the loony bin." "She got what she deserved," Beverley cut in. "You can't force what's not meant to be yours. Go against the grain, and you're bound to get your comeuppance." Aurelia thought the scould be said about Geoffrey. The Stirling family heir would never be him, no matter how many tricks he pulled.

After the pie was done, the servants brought out dinner.

Once they finished their meal, everyone left the beach house and went their separate ways.

Skyler got back to his villa when his phone buzzed. It was a text from Geoffrey.

[Skyler, it's been ages since we last talked. Miss me?] [Where are you at now?] Skyler texted back.

[That's not for you to worry about. My whereabouts will always be a mystery.] Skyler rolled his eyes, [Why all the secrets? Got something to hide?] [I've got secrets alright. Wanna know?] [Spill it!] Skyler was dying to uncover all of Geoffrey's mysteries.

After a bit, another text cthrough.

[We're not kids of the Heninger family. Hanson isn't our real dad, he's our uncle. It's our aunt Tanya who's our mom.] Skyler was taken aback, [You're talking nonsense. I bet you're the one who's not a member of the Heninger family. We're not even twins.] [I'm not messing with you. Don't believe me? Ask Hanson yourself. We're of the Stirling family by blood, born from our aunt and Chad. Leopold and Aurelia know. Everyone knows but you. They've been keeping it from you, treating you like a kid.] Skyler puffed up his cheeks.

[I don't believe a word you say. You're just jealous because everyone loves me. After all, I'm the favorite, and you're trying to drive a wedge between us.] [They love you? Ha! They're just using you, playing you for a fool. Wouldn't be surprised if they're laughing at you behind your back. In this world, only Aunt Tanya and I truly love you, we're the only ones you can trust.]

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