NovelOnline"This is just too bizarre," Fredric muttered, rubbing his forehead in bewilderment. "Something big must have gone down with Raines. If someone is stirring the pot, we need to dig into it. We can't just sit around waiting for the other shoe to drop." Leopold gave a slight nod in a solemn expression. "Let's track down the person masquerading as Sheryl first, or the cops will be on her trail before you know it." Fredric let out a sigh, the weight of his words heavy in the air. "Before the divorce, Sheryl got under my skin so much, | couldn't wait to be rid of her. And now that it's done, it's oddly unsettling. It's like there is something missing." "You're missing her nagging and the caring, that's all," Aurelia said with a light chuckle, a wry twist to her lips. "Despite what Sheryl did with the Joyce mess, she did love you and ran the household with all her heart. Besides, she took care of you down to the smallest detail and raised those kids to be sharp and upright. To you, to the kids, and to your family, she was flawless, the epitof a loving wife and mother." Fredric fell silent. After what felt like an eternity, he spoke softly, "After dinner, I'll go see her." Later that evening, when the kids had returned, Aurelia called Nina into the study.
"Nina, there's something important | need to tell you. I've seen your mother. The woman who cto Silver Surf Beach looking for you wasn't her but an imposter." "What?" Nina's voice trembled with shock. "That wasn't Mom?" Aurelia nodded solemnly.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtNina burst into tears. "I knew it. Mom wouldn't do something so awful. | almost believed | had a bad mom." Aurelia wrapped an arm around her shoulders and comforted her, "Your mom loves you, Nina. She would never hurt you. We need to find this imposter and bring her to justice, so she doesn't succeed in her schemes and your mom isn't wrongfully accused of murder." Nina sniffled. "What can | do?" "Think back carefully," Aurelia instructed. "Was there anything different about her compared to your mom?" Nina pondered for a moment. "She was so much like Mom, even her voice. | didn't suspect a thing. But..." She pointed to her neck.
"There was a faint pink mark on her neck, like a mosquito bite. And... oh!" She gasped as if struck by a sudden realization.
"lI remember Mom's stunt double had a birthmark on her neck. During shoots, she'd always cover it with tons of concealer. She's such a dead ringer for my mom... Could she be the one pretending?" "That's a possibility," Aurelia mused, recalling that Fredric had mentioned this person as well. Finding her was the next step.
Nina rubbed her eyes. "Aunt Aurelia, is Mom back? When can | see her? | miss her so much." "Tomorrow after school, I'll take you and Mira to see her," Aurelia promised, stroking her hair.
"Okay!" Nina's tears were replaced by a smile.
That night's dinner had the kids' top pick - roast leg of lamb. The tender meat from a six-month-old lamb was just right for the kiddos.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmAurelia took a bite of the lamb but suddenly found the rich taste overwhelming, nausea creeping up her throat. She covered her mouth, gagging slightly.
Jessica, noticing, teased with a laugh, "Aurelia, are you expecting?" Aurelia quickly waved her off. "No, it's just sstomach troubles lately." Probably just a hormonal imbalance, she thought.
"When's your last period?" Jessica inquired with a knowing look on her face.
Aurelia shook her head. "It's been a bit erratic lately. Never been too regular." Jessica's smile grew wider. "Sounds tolike you might be pregnant. Leopold, you'd better take Aurelia to the hospital for a check-up tomorrow."
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