NovelEnglishWaving his hand dismissively, Raines chuckled, "No need to make a fuss. I've been on my own for years, and weathered more illnesses than | can count. I'm used to it." Beverley sighed, "Raines, you and Lisbeth should just stay here in Elysium. This is home." A shadow of sorrow crossed Raines' face. "It's just... | worry about Mom adjusting if she comes back. Last month, they diagnosed her with Alzheimer's. Her mind gets all mixed up. She doesn't even recognizeor Lisbeth anymore." "What? Really?" Beverley gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "Don't you worry, we'll find a professional caregiver to look after her properly." Aurelia caught the significance of Raines' words and exchanged a knowing glance with Leopold.
He had discreetly arranged for Raines’ mother Elfreda from Goldendell to cover. She knew Raines better than anyone. If she was battling Alzheimer's, no one would take her words at face value anymore.
Leopold took a sip of his tea and murmured, "Hey, Fredric, Raines, Skyler, how about a gof bridge?" "Sure," Skyler nodded. "I'm up for bridge." Fredric laughed, "I remember Raines being a whiz at the bridge. Back when we'd stay up with Chad, none of us could beat him." Raines grinned, "I can't remember much else, but numbers, they stick." The brothers headed to the groom.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtMeanwhile, Aurelia called the sisters-in-law and Beverley to join her on the beach.
They felt the sea breeze and chatted.
"Lisbeth, we're all family here, no need to be formal. We're pretty laid-back," she reassured.
Lisbeth forced a smile and took a swig from her coconut.
Beverley pulled out her tarot deck.
"Lisbeth, want a reading? My tarot's been uncannily accurate. Aurelia callsthe Oracle." Lisbeth hesitated, then nodded, "Alright, tellabout what's in store forand Raines." Beverley shuffled, cut the deck, and laid out the spread. Then she flipped the first card.
The Knight of Cups, reversed.
Beverley furrowed her brow. It was an ominous card, signaling betrayal in love or friendship.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"The Knight of Cups reversed suggests betrayal. It implies that someone in the relationship is not sincere, that they're using you, playing with your emotions, and will ultimately leave or betray you." She quickly added, "But don't worry, Lisbeth. You and Raines are married, which means you've passed the tests. This card can be ignored." Lisbeth trembled her shoulders with her expression growing complex. She buried her face in the coconut's shadow as if to hide emotions that shouldn't be there.
Beverley turned the next card. The Hanged Man, reversed.
She inhaled sharply. Another unsettling card.
"The Hanged Man represents self-sacrifice. Its reverse suggests a struggle to escape constraints unsuccessfully. Your sacrifices are reluctant and all you're doing seems unable to change the situation." Sheryl couldn't help but interject, "Beverley, these don't sound too good, do they?" Beverley stuck out her tongue, indeed they weren't promising.
She hoped Raines and Lisbeth wouldn't go through the on-and-off heartaches like Leopold and Aurelia did.
"Maybe the next card will be better." With that hope, she flipped the next card. The Tower, upright.
She choked. The Tower was one of the most dire cards. Upright signified destruction, upheaval, or profound change.
Beverley bit her lip, silent for a moment. Lisbeth, noticing Beverley's troubled look, asked cautiously, "What's wrong? Another bad card?" Beverley swallowed hard, "The Tower upright... it could mean you're facing a significant upheaval or separation. But don't worry, maybe it's a sign of rebirth, a fresh start."
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