“I need to know why Rian,” Rafi stated as he put his foot in the door to keep her from shutting it. Seb looked at her with concern.

Rian sighed, “I suppose I can make tea.” She gestured to the lounge and walked into the kitchen.

Seb looked worriedly over at Rian. “She looks exhausted.” He whispered to Rafi.

Rafi nodded. “I would have expected her to be living in fancier conditions after taking the money.” He said with no small amount of surprise.

“Perhaps there is more to this than meets the eye,” Seb replied. “I feel something is wrong.”

“So, what brings you guys to see me?” Rian asked, walking in with a proper full tea tray. She poured tea for the three of them. “After all, I really pissed off people.” She glanced at Rafi.

“I’ve been worried about you, Rian.” Seb scolded. “After the show, you closed all your socials and changed your numbers. I wasn’t even sure where you lived, and the producers wouldn’t tell me. It was like you dropped off the face of the earth.”

“I thought it would be better to make a clean break,” Rian mumbled. “Besides, I had other things to deal with.”

“Other things,” Seb growled. “I thought we were friends.”

Rian looked down at the floor. “I led people to think a lot of things about me. I needed to win the money; it’s as simple as that.”

“I don’t believe you.” Seb pushed. “You may have had some an ulterior motive, but I know not everything at the Villa was a lie. And you couldn’t have known it would work for certain.”

“I didn’t,” Rian admitted, “I’m a bit of a gambler. It was well thought out gamble, though.”

“In fact, you were very careful,” Rafi murmured. “After the show, I watched it over and over and realized. You were compliant. You set things up. You never made the first move, and you left the decisions up to other people. Every person you coupled up or flirted with… you set the stage but ultimately left them to decide until you won the money. That’s why it was so shocking. You never lied to any of us, but you omitted information. But my question is, why now?”

He held up the check she had sent him. “Why this now? Guilt?”

A knock on the doorway interrupted them. “Miss Rian, Theo is awake. He wants to see you.”

“Thank you, Mara.” Rian stood up. “I’ll be there in a moment.”

“What is going on here, Rian? Is Theo, alright?” Rafi asked, worried.

“Please talk to us, Rian…” Seb pleaded. “I can’t speak for Rafi, but I care about you.”

Rian looked at Seb in surprise. Her eyes filled with tears. She took a deep breath and pushed them back. “Fine. But you can’t freak out, and if anything strange is said, please play along. I didn’t tell him I took the money.”

The men looked at each other in confusion as they followed Rian through the house. She stopped in front of a room and opened the door. “Theo, Mara told me you were awake. “
“Yea, I feel like I’ve been sleeping forever, but you brought company … you never bring company.” Theo’s face brightened as he tried to sit up. Rian stepped over, assisting him, and tucked pillows behind her brother to support him.

“You always fuss over me,” Theo complained. “Who are your friends? Are they from the show?”

“Theo, this is Seb and Rafi,” Rian said.

“It’s great to meet you both. I’ve heard so much about you.” Theo said, smiling at them. “Hey, sis. I’d love some tea. Will you make some?”

Rian gave Theo a curious look. “Should I have Mara make it?”

“No, it’s better when you do it, please???” Theo pleaded, giving her puppy dog eyes. Rafi couldn’t help but smile as he watched. He knew that Rian was aware that Theo was playing a game with her, but she gave in. She was indeed a big softy.

“Alright.” She turned to Rafi and Seb, “if anything happens, come get me.”

“We will,” Seb promised.

Once Rian left the room, Theo babbled. “Rian never told me she took the money and left. I know who you are. She doesn’t know that I watched the show. She would do anything for me, and she feels responsible since our parents are gone. So please don’t hate her.” He took a deep breath. “She even changed her career path for me. I think that at the finale, she broke her own heart for the sake of my health. She never said it, but I know my sister. Your names have crossed her lips more than anyone else’s’ since she won the money… I know I have little time left and the sacrifices Rian has made for me… I can never repay. I can only explain her actions and hope you don’t hate her for what she did.” His eyes looked watery, and he dropped his head.

Rafi shook off his shock and stepped forward to shake Theo’s hand. “I… understand.” He smiled. “I’m glad I got to meet you.”

“She is crazy about you, but you’ll have to pry it out of her. Rian doesn’t show her heart easily,” Theo chuckled weakly. “And I dare say you still love her too.”

Seb stepped forward. “I’m glad to meet you too.”

“You have the cat named Doom, right,” Theo said with a weak smile. “Make sure she gets a kitten to keep her company. I don’t want Rian to be alone. She adores you and is thrilled for you and Viv.”

“I will make sure that doesn’t happen,” Seb said thickly.

Theo sank back on the pillows and closed his eyes, exhausted. “Rian is amazing. She deserves to be happy.”

Rian walked back in with the tea. “I made your favorite.”

“I’m sorry, Ria,” Theo said, “I’m more tired than I thought. I need to rest now.”

“OK.” She walked over to shift his pillows so he could lie more comfortably. “I’ll be nearby if you need anything.”

They walked out of the room, but the nurse was outside the door. “Mara, if there are changes. Please come get me.”

“I will,” Mara said as she stepped back into Theo’s room.