Summary
Highlights
Captain Book welcomes listeners and introduces part two of 'The Cousins', covering chapters 9-16. She provides a brief recap of part one: three cousins (Millie, Aubrey, and Jonah) are invited to their grandmother Mildred's resort, uncovering family secrets, including Jonah not being a true cousin and Aubrey's father's infidelity. The summary also hints at past family drama involving Allison (Millie's mother) and Matt.
The narrative shifts to Allison in 1996. Mildred is dealing with the grief of her husband Abraham's death, causing tension among her children regarding the family business. Allison, Adam, Anders, and Archer attend a party where Allison flirts with Matt. The host speculates Allison might have become pregnant by Matt.
Jonah's backstory is revealed: his family lost their savings and business due to Anders's (JT's father) Ponzi scheme. Jonah's true purpose on the island is to ensure Anders remains cut off from the Story fortune. The cousins interview Hazel, who shares rumors, including that Anders might be Abraham's love child and a disturbing rumor about one of the brothers impregnating Allison. Dr. Baxter's suspicious behavior during this conversation is noted by Jonah.
Millie meets with lawyer Donald to seek information, but he's uncooperative. Later, at a bar, Millie and Jonah's flirting intensifies. Millie discovers the band's lead singer, Chaz Jones, is actually her Uncle Archer, the youngest Story child, who admits to inviting the cousins to the island to reconcile with Mildred.
Archer, intoxicated, explains his genuine desire for the cousins to know Mildred, hoping for a family reunion. He also tipped off the gazette about their arrival. Aubrey receives a text from her boyfriend, Thomas, and realizes she's dating a version of her manipulative father. A key letter from Dr. Baxter to Archer is found, hinting at secrets.
Back in 1996, Allison suspects she's pregnant after a one-night stand with Matt. She seeks advice from Anders, who reveals his dislike for Matt. In the present, Jonah learns Dr. Baxter has died by drowning. Millie and Aubrey discuss the implications, with Aubrey noting the doctor's erratic behavior.
The cousins attend brunch with Mildred, who ignores Millie while interrogating Jonah and Aubrey about their fathers. Millie, feeling neglected, explores the house and overhears Teresa on the phone with Donald, discussing Mildred's 'obsession,' suggesting a hidden agenda among the four key figures (Mildred, Teresa, Donald, and Dr. Baxter).
Aubrey and Millie shop for gala dresses. The shop owner, Una, reveals her sister Kayla (Anders's ex-girlfriend) died tragically in a car accident in 1997, 24 years prior. Aubrey investigates old newspaper articles, confirming Kayla's death was a drunk driving accident near 'Cuddy Beach', a place previously mentioned by her father. Aubrey suspects a deeper connection to the Story family's past disinheritance.
Allison takes a pregnancy test, which is immediately positive, causing distress. She hides her turmoil for the upcoming gala. In the present, at the gala, a tipsy Millie encounters Jonah. Before Jonah can reveal his true purpose, they share a passionate kiss, which is witnessed by Donald and Aubrey, along with Mildred and much of the party, creating a scandalous scene and ending the episode on a cliffhanger.
The episode concludes with lingering questions: Where is Archer, and why hasn't he been heard from since Dr. Baxter's death? What are Donald and Teresa's true intentions regarding Mildred's fortune? Who is Allison and Matt's potential child in the present day? What truly happened to Kayla, and was her death an accident or connected to the Story family's dark past? The host suggests a new theory: Anders might be the love child of Mildred and Donald, with Dr. Baxter and Teresa covering it up.