Page 22 of The Lie That Stole Christmas

“Oh my fucking god.Get over it!It was years ago.Nobody gives a shit.”

“This isn’t helping anyone,” Ashley said, holding her hands out like a ringmaster controlling her lions.

“Ashley’s right,” Carter agreed and exhaled slowly.“Cole, you don’t have to prove anything to anyone—”

Cole’s fiery gaze landed on Carter.His lip curled up.“You think because Grandpa gave you a job and a key to the damn estate, you’re part of this family?You’re not.You never were.You’re just thehelpwho stuck around long enough to get a promotion.”

Carter didn’t flinch, but Ashley watched his hands clenched at his sides.

“Cole,” she said, stepping between them.“What the hell is really going on?”There was more to this.This was years of unchecked resentment.

Cole’s bloodshot eyes filled with a wild desperation, locked on hers.“You really don’t know?”

Her heart thudded in her chest.“Know what?”

“Ask her.”

Ashley glanced at Marilyn, who was already tipping back her drink like nothing had happened.Ashley stared at her aunt, who was once her favorite person in the world, the fun aunt, the wild aunt, and didn’t recognize her at all.

“Aunt Marilyn, what is this all about?You two were so close.”

“Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.”

“He’s your son,” Ashley said on an exhale, her brain barely able to comprehend her aunt's words.

“Which makes the betrayal that much worse.”A wave of disgust contorted Marilyn’s face as she glared at Cole.She lost her balance, but caught herself, her drink sloshing over the top and splattering onto the floor.

Cole let out a sharp, humorless laugh.“And I’m the one embarrassing the family?”

“Damn right you are,” Marilyn shot back, the liquid in her glass sloshing even more as she gestured wildly.“You’re a Wetherby in name only.You think your grandfather built this legacy so you could prance around on the internet taking selfies with champagne bottles?You don’t work.Youperform.”

Cole’s face fell, red blossomed on his cheeks, and for a moment, Ashley thought he might actually cry or break something.She placed herself between him and the ornaments.

“You don’t know anything about what I do.”

“I know enough,” Marilyn said coldly.“You waste every opportunity you’ve ever been given.You’re nothing like your grandfather.”

“Good,” he spat.“Because I’d rather be nothing than a miserable drunk clinging to the family name like it’s a damn life raft.”

“Cole!”Ashley’s voice snapped through the room.

Marilyn froze, eyes flashing wide before she let out a hollow, broken laugh.“You really think you’ve got it all figured out, don’t you?”She took a slow sip of what was left of her drink.“Keep living in your make-believe world, darling.It’s the only place you’ll ever be successful.”

“I’m done,” Cole said, his voice eerily calm.“I’m not staying here and playing pretend for Grandpa’s twisted little reunion.”

“Abandoning ship like always,” Marilyn said.“I can’t believe I raised such a pussy.”She spun on her heel and stumbled out of sight.

Ashley stood rooted in place, her head swinging back and forth between the two doorways.While she hadn’t kept in regular touch with either Cole or Aunt Marilyn, she thought she knew enough to believe they were doing okay.Clearly, they were not okay at all.She turned toward Carter, confusion tugging tight at the bridge of her nose.“What the hell is going on with this family?”

Carter’s eyes were still on the doorway.“The cracks are starting to show.”

Chapter eight

Ms.Porter

ColeWetherbystormedpasther in a fit of rage, and she politely stepped aside, offering a soft, “Good morning,” that went unanswered.She didn’t take it personally.The boy had grown into a handsome man, but his temper… now that was new.Once the golden child of the house, forever perched on his mother’s hip, beaming at any and all scraps of praise, he now moved through Winterridge like a powdered keg waiting for a spark.

Lily would be distraught if she were alive to see it.