Aurora remained frozen in her seat but decided to keep smiling at the new person in front of her.
"Hello, brother. I'm also delighted to see you again, Jasper. But I would prefer if you could welcome our guests less harshly if possible."
"Miss Haywood, Miss Farrell, this is my older brother, Tyler Bellmore Everett."
"Everett..."
"He's my half-brother, from our father's first marriage," Jasper replied, turning briefly to Aurora.
"Oh..."
"Hello, Aurora."
They stared at each other for a long time before her brother decided to break off the conversation.
"Do you know each other?"
"Yes, you could say that." Tyler replied, keeping his gaze fixed on her. He was looking at her so intensely that she preferred to keep her eyes fixed on her food.
"We studied at the same university; we were classmates."
"Oh, I see." I imagine you must have been helping my cousin with her homework. From what I know, she's never been good at science, even though she's a doctor.
Aurora looked up at her cousin, looking at her coldly.
"I've changed, you know. Life can sometimes give us a second chance to become better, but obviously that wasn't the case for you."
"And then I know what you're talking about?"
"Really? You want me to remind you of all your mistakes and flaws toward our family, in front of your husband and brother-in-law? It's not that I'd mind telling them you organized your own sister's murder, but if you insist, I can go into detail."
"Aurora!"
Charlotte had just stood up abruptly and struggled to remain calm, but seeing the stares on her, she quickly recovered, brushing her hair aside.
"Excuse me, I have to go to the bathroom," Aurora announced suddenly before slipping away.
Sandy watched her leave and decided to join her. It was clear she wasn't feeling well, especially when she decided to get upset.
She had just left the bathroom and was washing her hands when she saw Tyler in the mirror behind her.
"Tyler."
"I guess you were expecting to see your friend Sandy. I beat him to it and assured him I'd get you back in one piece."
"Thanks. But I'm fine. He has nothing to worry about."
She walked past him, but he grabbed her wrist before she even walked out the door.
"Yes?"
"Welcome back to California."
"Thanks. I didn't know you had a half-brother."
"I know." I didn't talk much about my personal life at university. What's going on with your cousin? You two don't seem to get along.
"If you knew everything she did and everything that happened in our family... I left here mainly because of her."
"What happened?"
"It's too long a story, but in short, she managed to take my husband, who is none other than your half-brother."
"So it's true that my brother is your ex-husband."
She ran her hands over her jacket and adjusted it before turning toward the exit.
"I think we'd better get back. I really want to get out of here. I have a lot of other things to do."
Tyler studied her for a moment before following her.
"Is everything okay?" Sandy asked, seeing her friend appear.
"Yes, everything's fine. We'll have to leave early. My friend and I have lots of things to do."
"Things that can't wait until after dinner? My wife spent some time in the kitchen welcoming you," Jasper retorted.
Aurora glanced at her food before replying.
"Well, I apologize, although I don't really believe she made such delicious food. But yes, these are things that can't wait. I'm sorry, I'm a busy woman."
"Yes, indeed. But thank you for the meal," Sandy added, standing up.
They left before even saying goodbye to their hosts and didn't wait to be seen off before getting into their car. However, Aurora waved to Tyler through her window before ordering the car to start.
A few hours later, the two women went to the home of Charlotte's mother, Aurora's cousin.
"I'm delighted to have you back, my dear."
"Thank you, Auntie."
"You're very different from your daughter."
"Who do I have the honor of speaking to?"
"It's my friend, Sandy Farell."
"Oh, I see, and what do you mean by that?"
"We were at her house a few hours ago, and I must admit it's not pleasant to be in the same room as her."
"She managed to make her husband believe she was the one who cooked, which we both know isn't true."
"My daughter doesn't know how to cook anything but rice. She was more interested in makeup."
and social media. Besides, how could you let him hurt you and steal your husband?
"My aunt, it's a long story..."
While Charlotte was getting her manicure, Jasper decided to tidy his desk and take the opportunity to talk with his brother.
"Are you close?"
"Excuse me?"
"You and Miss Haywood? I noticed you got along well; she even waved at you before leaving."
"I told you, we were classmates at university. And we got along well. We haven't seen each other since I left the country for Iraq and France. But why the question?"
"I'm curious."
"Don't even think about researching her; she hates it and always ends up finding out. I know something about that."
"Oh, yeah? But you know I love a challenge."
"But I also know you have a wife who wouldn't appreciate you being interested in someone other than her. Besides, don't forget to send me an invitation."
Suddenly, their phones buzzed with disturbing news. Tyler looked upset as he checked his phone, while his brother turned on the television in his office.
"In the news this afternoon, a fire broke out in a house that, according to our information, belonged to the mother of the wife of famous businessman Jasper Everett. We don't yet know the cause, but the investigation is already underway, and law enforcement and firefighters are already on the scene. We..."
Tyler turned off the TV before even hearing the end of the announcement and put on his jacket before driving off in a flash. He got behind the wheel of his car and immediately called the young woman.
- Please, Aurora, answer.
- Hello? Tyler?
- Send me your location if you can. I'll be there in five minutes. Are you okay?
- I'm suffocating a little and I'm stuck in the kitchen. A chair fell on my ankle.
- Don't worry. I'll be right there. What about the others?
- The firefighters managed to rescue them. They're trying to clear the fire in front of the kitchen so they can come and help me.
- Breathe, Aurora, breathe.
- Don't worry, I'm tough, this isn't a fire that's going to...
- Aurora? Hey, Aurora! Stay with me. I have your location.
But the young woman hadn't spoken to me and left the call hanging.