Page 186 of Filthy Rich Santas

“Oh my god,” I burst out. “Seriously, Mom? Did you even hear anything I just said?”

“What I heard, whatall my guestsheard, is you announcing your promiscuity to the man who gave you a three-carat engagement ring!”

Beckett growls as all three of them move closer, but I put a hand on his chest before he can jump to my defense again.

“Yes, I’ve slept with Tristan, Ryder, and Beckett,” I say, holding my mother’s gaze. “But it has nothing to do with Wade. I just want to be with them. All of them.”

My father sputters. “You can’t?—”

“I can,” I cut him off. “Iam, and I’m done pretending otherwise. The four of us are in a relationship now, and Ilikewho I am when I’m with them. For the first time in my life, I feel like I can truly be myself. Because you know what? They like who I am with them too. Not some idealized version of who I should be, but who Iactuallyam.”

I can see the shock and disbelief on my parents’ faces, but for once, it doesn’t make me feel small. With Tristan, Ryder, and Beckett’s silent support radiating into me, my chest feels lighter than it’s ever been in this house.

For the first time in my life, I’ve spoken my truth without fear or hesitation, and riding the wave of my newfound courage, I take a deep breath and continue, “There’s something else you should know. I’ve been diagnosed with lupus recently.”

All four of my family members freeze for a moment, and then my father’s jaw tightens. “Is this something you caught from…them?”

“Jesus, Dad,” Caleb whispers harshly. “That’s not what it is.”

I shake my head, my voice trembling slightly. “It’s not an STD. It’s a… a condition. It’s triggered by some combination of environmental and genetic factors, they think.”

“Genetic?” Mom shakes her head, looking stunned. “But we didn’t give it to you!”

“And that’s exactly why I tried to hide it from you,” I tell her tightly. “Because I knew you’d judge me for it. I felt guilty for an illness I have no control over, all because I’ve spent my whole life trying to meet your impossible standards. And I’m done feeling less than because of it.

“No, you know what? I’m more than done. I’m mad about it! I’m angry that you keep treating me this way, even now.”

My voice cracks, but I don’t let that stop me.

“Why isn’t your first question whether or not I’m okay? I just told you I’m sick, and Dad, you imply that it’s my own fault, and then you, Mom, sneer about how it’s… what, beneath a Reeves to be imperfect? Well guess what, I’mnotperfect, but I’m happier being my real, imperfect self than I ever was trying to live up to whoyouwanted me to be.”

For once, neither one of my parents has a stinging retort. They both stand there looking stunned by my tirade, blinking in shock for a moment. But when my father opens his mouth to speak, I can tell by the expression on his face that nothing I said actually got through to him.

It almost makes me feel defeated, but then Tristan steps forward, his voice calm but hard.

“With all due respect, Mr. Reeves, I’d think carefully about whatever you’re about to say before you throw away something you can’t get back.”

“And what would that be?” my father says, his tone suspicious.

“Your daughter.”

My father blinks, and before he can say anything in response, Ryder jumps in.

“All these years, you had the chance to really know her, and you made her hide her light. You dismissed her talent, pushed her toward your own dreams instead of hers, and made her feel like your love was conditional. You’ve missed out on seeing how truly wonderful Lana is because you refused to fuckinglook.”

My mother’s mouth tightens at the profanity, but Ryder stares her down, standing like a solid oak tree behind me.

“Lupus is something your daughter is going to be living with now, so you might want to spend a little more time researching it if you actually give a shit about her well-being. But as a courtesy, I’ll clue you in.”

His unyielding tone has an edge I’ve never heard before, and it’s enough to shut my parents up as he goes on.

“Lana gets tired a little more easily now. She’s got to take care to manage her stress. To avoid triggering foods. Stay hydrated. Monitor her symptoms at all times and adjust her lifestyle accordingly. Despite that, she’s been pushing through this entire trip. A littletoohard sometimes.”

His lips quirk up, and his eyes drop to me for a moment before he looks back at my parents.

“But never complaining, always letting her inner radiance light up the room even when the fatigue hits her. Putting others first—especially her family, despite the fact that I’ve yet to see any one of you do the same for her.”

Caleb flinches a little, but I stop watching my family as the men keep talking, my attention riveted to the three of them instead.

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