Chapter 8 - Cracks in the PolishOver the next forty-eight hours, the Bennett familyâs carefully crafted illusion completely shattered.

Brooke and Coleâs honeymoon was cut short when Cole learned that his new in-laws were facing potential civil lawsuits from five separate small businesses across Tennessee.
Brooke called me from the airport in Atlanta, sobbing hysterically into the phone.
âClara! How could you do this to me?!â Brooke cried. âCole's mother is threatening to cut us off! Everyone in town is talking about us!â
âI didn't do anything to you, Brooke,â I said gently. âI flew eighteen hours to give you a $720 Dutch oven and celebrate your marriage. Mom and Dad chose to pretend I didn't exist.â
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âYou could have just paid the bill and talked to us later!â she screamed.
âI am no longer paying for the privilege of being your family's dirty little secret, Brooke,â I replied firmly. âGood luck with your marriage.â