William shrugged, a wistful look in his eyes, "I do like hanging out with you guys, but | miss my dad sometimes, you know?"
"Don't you visit your dad's place often? Just like Nina and Mira do. They must miss their mom, too. But look at them, adjusting well
and having a blast every day. Their mom's back in showbiz, filming again, no tto take care of them. So, they're staying here for
a while longer."
William let out a sigh, "Adults are such a hassle. One minute they're into this, the next they're into that. Marrying, divorcing, can't
make up their minds. Our simple little world gets all muddled up because of them."
Skyler nodded in agreement, "That's why | don't wanna grow up. | just wanna stay a carefree kid forever." He took a sip of his hot
chocolate, then popped a cherry into his mouth.
William made a face, "l kinda do wanna grow up, though. Because when | am grown up, and | will get the power to protect myself
and my family."
As they chatted, Skyler's phone buzzed with a new text message.
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[Dear Skyler, living the life, aren't you? Sipping hot chocolate and munching on cherries.]
Skyler jolted, frowning deeply.
That annoying Geoffrey was spying on him again. How did he always manage to do that?
He stood up, scanning the surroundings.
The yard was empty, except for Raines up on the balcony, sipping coffee and flipping through a magazine.
[I was having a good tuntil you buzzed in, now not so much.]
Geoffrey replied swiftly, [Dear Skyler, I'll always keep an eye on you. We're brothers, inseparable forever.]
Skyler puffed his cheeks out. Geoffrey was such a pain, haunting him like a specter, ruining his carefree, happy days.
He was surely jealous of him, jealous that he got to spend holidays with the Stirling family, envious of the fun he had every day.
He bet Geoffrey had no one to spend the holidays with, probably sitting all alone in a gloomy room, staring at the walls.
[I'm having a blast here, lots of people to hang with. Holidays should be lively. Bet you're all by yourself, right? Poor thing.]
An angry emoji popped up on Skyler's screen.
[I couldn't care less about sstupid holiday. We Eastwood Heights folks don't bother with that. If it weren't for you, | wouldn't be
alone. If mom were here, | wouldn't be alone.]
Skyler scoffed.
[Why don't you go to the island and keep Auntie Tanya company? She must be lonely. She'd be over the moon to see you. You two
could live there, just like Robinson Crusoe.]
[You're talking nonsense. Who wants to live on a deserted island? I'll rescue Mom, and then we'll see who teaches whom a lesson,
you traitor.]
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Skyler snorted, [I'm a good kid, not like you baddies. I've cut ties with you all.]
Geoffrey sent a bomb emoji.
[Dear Skyler, you'll never get rid of me. I'll stick to you like a shadow for life.]
Skyler grabbed a handful of cherries, pacing back and forth in the yard.
He was dying to figure out how Geoffrey was keeping tabs on him.
Did he invent snew-fangled gadget? Did he even have the smarts for that?
Meanwhile, on the island, Tanya was bored out of her skull.
The villa's dog had just had puppies. The servants were overjoyed, celebrating the new life with a barbecue party, singing, and
dancing.
She couldn't believe these folks. Any excuse for a party? True to their roots, she thought with a shake of her head.