Phillip met Robert at school. It was an instant attraction. They began hanging out while Joe was at work. One day, Phillip leaned forward and kissed Robert.

Phillip and Robert soon become less careful. At first, Phillip would make sure Robert was gone well before Joe would return home, but gradually Robert began staying later and later. One evening, Robert and Phillip were cuddling in bed watching tv when the door opened. In stepped Joe. Joe is enraged.

“Get out of my house!” Joe rages. “You are not welcome here.”

Robert jumps up and flees.

Phillip has rarely seen his father so angry at him or David. He wants to stand up for himself, for Robert, but instead he shakes with fear.

“You are not to have that boy in this house again,” Joe yells at him. “Do you understand? No seeing that boy in or out of school.” Joe storms out of the room slamming the door behind him.

Phillip clenches his fists. He can’t wait to get away from his father. That comes sooner than he thinks. Joe tells him at breakfast that he will be going away to boarding school next fall. It is far from Robert and far from home. It is known for its strict discipline policy.

Phillip knows arguing will do no good.

David will not be going to the same boarding school. He will attend one closer to home. One with a more academic focus. It will be easier for him to come home more frequently. He has expressed interest in the family business and Joe begins training him to one day take over.

After several months, Megan is allowed to return home. She was relieved to be back until she learns Finley has plans for her. She is to be married. Married to an older man, a man she barely knows. His name is Paolo. He joined the Sims of the Light a couple years earlier.

Megan must talk to her mother alone. She wouldn’t let this happen, would she? It takes awhile, but eventually she is able to get Sally alone.

“Mom, you don’t really expect me to marry Paolo, do you? You will talk to Finley?” Megan looks to her mom hopefully. Sally bows her head, refusing to look her daughter in the eye.

“It’s what is best. You will be cared for. You were making bad choices,” Sally reasons.

Megan bursts into tears. “Then you aren’t on my side?”

“Finley and I want the best for you, to keep you safe,” Sally tells her.

Megan shakes her head and goes to her room. She feels so alone.

Megan is not the only one to soon be a new bride. Finley has decided to make Audrey his third wife. Unlike Megan, Audrey is thrilled. She has dreamed of being married to Finley for years.

Nancy is not happy with the news. No longer will she be the younger, preferred wife. Why had she brought Audrey with her in the first place. If only her sisters wouldn’t have been so selfish to refuse to take Audrey for her.

“Are you satisfied?” Nancy snapped at her daughter. “You have been after my husband all along. You ungrateful daughter.”

Audrey is hurt by her mother’s words, but she is used to it. Her mother has never been the nurturing, loving mother. She seemed uninterested in her children unless they helped her to gain a man.

Sally is not happy with the news either, but she accepts Finley’s decision. He knows what is best for the family.