After Aaron and Keeley left, Gray and Mandy laughed about how unsettled and confused Aaron had been during dinner. Gray, knowing his brother well, found it more amusing than Mandy, who seemed to enjoy their deception.

"Did you see his face?" Gray asked gleefully, his false voice dropping as the elevator descended. "I've never seen him so completely out of it. Keeley tried to keep him engaged, but he might as well have been in outer space. I think you broke him."

"Serves him right," Mandy said with a twinkle in her eyes. "That'll teach him not to mess with us."

Aaron wasn't the type to "mess with" anyone. He was simply indifferent to most people, caring only for a select few. Gray admitted knowing his brother didn't care about him, but it didn't bother him; he expected it. Until Mandy, that is. She felt indignant on his behalf, even though Aaron had only been his usual stone-cold self—a demeanor he reserved for everyone outside his immediate family.

He wondered what she thought of his family now that she had met them. Leaning back on the couch, he casually asked her impressions. A thoughtful expression crossed Mandy's face as she considered her response.

"You were right about Aaron being a cold fish. Keeley seemed nice, so I wonder how she ended up with him. Even with our charade, she didn't seem fazed. Either she's a fantastic actress or she has excellent people skills."

Gray smiled. "My money's on the latter. She's straightforward but polite; she knows when to speak and when to remain silent."

He'd noticed this about his sister-in-law since their café meeting, when she'd bluntly asked him what he wanted from her husband. Clearly tired of their games, Keeley had cut to the chase. Someone as shrewd as Aaron wouldn't reveal their hand so readily.

She'd remained the same ever since, navigating social situations with ease, though her eyes and body language sometimes betrayed her true feelings—at least, as far as he'd observed. He hadn't spent much time with her since his imprisonment.

It was interesting how little people change. The Keeley before and after his incarceration was essentially the same, aside from subtle aging. She maintained a friendly demeanor despite her wariness, and seemed a primary reason Aaron maintained their relationship—or so Gray perceived.

It was rather sad. They seemed obligated to be nice to him because he'd killed Lacy, despite clearly disliking his company. He'd tell them not to bother, were it not for his desire to remain part of his brother's life.

Gray shouldn't have expected anything different. He'd never been genuine with either of them.

Mandy believed his lack of close relationships stemmed from his failure to reveal his true self. She'd repeatedly told him the real Michael Gray was far more likable than his usual persona.

Was it too late to be genuine with his remaining family? Aaron would likely be annoyed by their prank.

Mandy pulled her knees to her chest. "Why are you so deep in thought?"

He hadn't realized he'd been spacing out. She'd probably been trying to get his attention. Smiling slightly, he shrugged. "I wondered if Aaron dislikes me because I've never been genuine with him."

She shook her head indulgently. "Based on his reaction, that's highly likely. I can't believe it took this long to occur to you. Do you always talk to him like that?"

"Yes."

"Ah, Mikey, you can't expect people to open up to you when you use fake charm. Especially someone like Aaron. You told me he left high society for his wife…she seems ordinary compared to his past. He probably loves her because she's genuine.

He likely hates insincerity most. You dug your own grave. I'm not saying he shouldn't have tried harder, but consider his perspective. A slick character working with a known enemy, appearing unexpectedly when he already dislikes slick characters—it makes sense he'd keep you at arm's length," Mandy finished gently.

Gray hadn't considered that. He'd been too entertained by his brother's schemes against their father to consider Aaron's feelings. He'd wanted to meet him for so long…why hadn't he been more genuine?

Probably because he was too entrenched in his false persona to realize it made him seem untrustworthy. His true self had been forgotten; the thought hadn't even crossed his mind.

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