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That was the part I didn’t know.
I remember a lot of social media about Cole Lancaster unearthing some big mystery and rescuing another woman years ago. I had no idea that story came with such a dark underbelly.
“So, long story short, there was a ton of drama before we found out. We didn’t know the truth for years,” she says with a dry smile. “Dad never felt right when he was told it was a freak accident, my mother washing up like she drowned. He was so busy raising me and managing his company, he let it lie for years. Then he met Eliza, my stepmom. I think she made his brain work again. She got herself into trouble, too, and when Dad came charging in to help, that’s how he stumbled on the truth.”
“Closure. Everybody needs it.” I wonder if she can hear how I’ve been robbed of my own.
What else can I say?
I’m the asshole who wanted answers, so here they are.
I almost regret asking, prying at her, when I see the haunted look she beams into the fire.
My food is going cold, but all I can do is stare at her, wondering why I had to pull it out of her in the first place.
“You can find all the details if you really want to, so I won’t bore you with the rest,” she continues. “But after it was over and Dad decided to get remarried, I was heading off to college. I figured taking a step back was the right thing to do. For me and for him. He’s with Eliza now and they’ve got a couple kids. A second chance at the nice, normal family he always wanted. They’re happy. They don’t need me around reminding them of... of...”
Her voice catches.
Fuck.
“Destiny,” I cut in, “I don’t think your old man would ever mind you—”
“No,” she says quickly. “No, this was my decision. Not his. We’re not on bad terms or anything. We get along great. I just... I wanted my space, too. I had to figure out my own shit. And I wanted to give him a chance at having his new family without any reminders of what happened before. Dad deserves it, especially when things weren’t ever great with my mom...”
A life without her in it, she means.
Shit, that’s heavy.
My jaw is glued shut.
She doesn’t seem to mind the silence now, staring into the flames as the tension eases.
Until she looks up at me again.
“I’m guessing you didn’t abuse Vanessa Dumas,” she says slowly.
Damn.
A secret for a secret.
That’s the unspoken trade here, isn’t it?
My shoulders square and I look into the fire, gazing until the bright-orange glow burns its imprint into my eyes.
“I never did, but why bring it up now?” Or ever.
“Oh, I didn’t mean to poke you with bad memories or stress or whatever. I just wanted you to know that I get it. What this whole thing is really all about...”
“Whatthing?”
“The internship. Young Influencers. You know”—she gestures broadly—“the whole reason I’m here, making you pull your hair out.”
“Right.”
“You need a little spit and shine on your reputation. That’s cool,” she says too freely. “It’s shitty that she did that to you. Running around, making all kinds of ugly accusations. Don’t get me wrong, I’m on the 'believe women' train. But you don’t out it by bouncing around talk shows and interviews like it’s a book tour. Her story just feels calculated.”
I shift so the fire isn’t beaming in my face.
