Page 60 of Tis The Season for Secrets
“Relieved that Beth isn’t here to see me stand up for myself? Or to learn the truth about Yule and how you’re blackmailing me into handing over the only thing that connects me to my mom?” Juliet hissed.
Gillian flinched, and Juliet knew she genuinely feared losing Beth. Still, even if it did bring her a fraction of joy to see her stepmother hurting, she’d never do anything to upset her sister.
After a second of silence, Gillian stormed out of the cottage without another word.
Juliet tucked the chest safely in her suitcase and concealed it with thick jumpers. She’d called the hotel in Hartdale town on her way back from the barber’s; thankfully, they had one room left, so she’d be able to hide away from her dad. She didn’t wantto go back to the apartment, since it was the first place he’d look for her.
“Can you tell Victor I’ll call him once I’m settled?” she asked Diana, who’d come out to say goodbye at the side gate. Juliet didn’t want to risk leaving by the front door, just in case her father had instructed Gillian to inspect her bags.
Diana sniffled. “Victor will understand. You need to do what’s right for you, and Beth will be fine with her friends. I’m so sorry I kept the truth from you,” she said again, opening the gate. “Find your own family. Beth will understand in time, and you still have us.”
This time, Juliet let her take her hand. Hope shone in Diana’s eyes.
“I’m mad at you, but you’re my family– always have been.” Juliet couldn’t ignore the hurt she felt about her part in the lie, but years of Diana being there when others hadn’t outweighed the deceit. It would take time, but she couldn’t hold any more hurt in her heart. She didn’t want to be poisoned like her father had been over the years.
“I know it’ll take time for you to trust me again. But please, be safe, and keep Will close. I see the way he looks at you. I haven’t seen a man look at anyone that way since I saw Victor walk to the altar with that goofy smile.”
“My smile is far from goofy,” Victor interrupted, stepping towards them from the other side of the gate. Diana must have called him and asked him to bring the car around.
Juliet looked at him, wanting to ask him why he’d lied, why he’d sided with her father, but now that she was leaving it all felt pointless. Besides, she knew deep down that they’d had little choice in the matter. If they’d gone against the Frost family, they would’ve been fired, and she really would have lost the only family she’d known.
“I’m sorry, love, for the part we played.” Victor wrapped her in a bear hug. It took all her strength not to crumble, but she had a plan to get through. Now was not the time to fall apart. “We made our choice, and now it’s your turn. So long as you’ll have us, we will always be in your life. As will Beth, no matter what they tell her. She loves you.” He released her and took her suitcase, putting it into the car.
Standing on the gravel path, Juliet wondered if she’d ever come back.
“As much as I wish you’d both told me the truth… thank you for raising me.” She gave the aging couple a wobbly smile, swamped with memories of all the kindness they’d shown a sad and lonely kid. “Please look after Beth, and no matter what the others tell her, make sure she knows she’ll always have a home with me. That she can come to me whenever she needs or wants to.”
“Don’t worry about Beth; she has her school and friends. I don’t believe for a moment they’ll be able to taint her love for you.” Diana gave Juliet a quick hug before opening the car door for her. “It’s time to look after you – and give Will our love. I’ve already packed his things. Just have him call Victor, and he can bring them wherever he needs.”
“Thank you, but I’ll take them now, I’m probably going to see him soon.” She was sure that Will wouldn’t have brought anything incriminating with him, but better safe than sorry. “Di, I’m sorry for what I said in the kitchen. You’ve been the best mom I could’ve asked for.”
Diana’s eyes filled with tears. “Call me when you get where you’re going.”
“I will,” Juliet promised, and Diana closed the door.
“Ready?” Victor asked in the rear-view mirror.
Juliet nodded, finally able to say goodbye to the house that had never been her home.
Once she was settledinto her hotel room overlooking the snow-covered Hartdale, Juliet argued with herself. She wanted to see Will, but she couldn’t bring herself to interrupt his night with Harvey. He’d done so much for her; he deserved some time to himself. There was so much to digest, to think through before she could even begin to tell him about her dad’s scheme.
I need you.
Juliet sent the text before she had a chance to overthink it.
It didn’t take five minutes for Margot to respond.
I can be in Hartdale first thing in the morning. Just wrapping up with a client xxx
She turned up the following morning as promised.
Juliet had spent most of the night agonising over this decision, but she couldn’t stand the taste of another lie on her tongue. Even if it meant breaking yet another of Yule’s rules, she couldn’t be like her family; she needed to choose truth and trust. Once the small kettle on the desk had boiled and two large cups of coffee were made, she told Margoteverything.
When Juliet had finished her story and Margot had examined the contents of the chest, her best friend put down the snowman-shaped hotel mug and let out a long sigh. “We’re going to need something stronger than coffee.”
Will hadn’t heard from Juliet since he’d dropped her off outside the barber’s yesterday afternoon. Despite having enjoyed his night with Harvey, he couldn’t stop himself from stressing about Juliet when he didn’t hear from her. He’d tried her phone a couple of times and even stopped by the Frost estate this morning, but Diana had told him she wasn’t there. He figured Juliet needed some time and space, and he wanted to give it to her. Thankfully, he had his friends to distract him while he waited for her to reach out.
“Lyla explained everything after you left. You should have been more careful! Though I don’t know why I didn’t suspect something was going on sooner. After that day when Lyla met Juliet, she kept asking about banishments, and if anyone’s punishment had ever been lifted,” Mason said, downing a glass of expensive whiskey.
