Beneath the Crimson Mistletoe

Snow fell gently over the small mountain town of Aspen Grove, blanketing rooftops and trees in a soft white glow. The world looked like a snow globe that had just been shaken, tiny flakes swirling and settling in perfect stillness. Scarlett Harrington stood on the porch of her childhood home, her arms wrapped tightly around herself as she gazed out at the winter wonderland before her. Coming back here was supposed to be a fresh start—a chance to breathe again after the whirlwind her life had become. But as much as she tried to focus on the beauty of the snow, the cold bit at her skin, and not just because of the weather, her heart felt frozen, weighed down by the memories she had been trying to escape. Ten years ago, she had left this town with stars in her eyes and dreams of a perfect life. Marriage to James Mercer had seemed like the key to that dream—a man who was as charming as he was ambitious, promising her the world. But the promises had been empty. Scarlett learned quickly that the man she had fallen in love with was nothing more than a polished facade, hiding manipulation and cruelty beneath. The divorce had been messy, exhausting, and humiliating. James had made sure of that. But for the sake of her daughter, Lila, Scarlett had fought through every court hearing, every slanderous accusation, every whispered judgment. In the end, she had won custody, but not without scars—emotional ones that ran deeper than she wanted to admit. And so, here she was, back in Aspen Grove, seeking solace in the familiar. Her mother’s house was smaller than she remembered, the rooms filled with the scent of pine and cinnamon from candles that had been lit for the holidays. It wasn’t much, but it was home, and it was safe. “Mommy!” Scarlett turned to see her six-year-old daughter barreling through the doorway, a red knit hat slipping down over her eyes. Lila’s cheeks were rosy from the cold, her dark curls spilling from beneath the hat. She clutched a small snowball in her gloved hands, her grin wide and mischievous. “You better run!” Lila giggled, winding up her throw. Scarlett laughed despite herself, darting down the porch steps and into the yard just as the snowball sailed past her shoulder. For a few precious moments, the weight in her chest lifted as she joined Lila in a playful snowball fight. Her daughter’s laughter echoed through the stillness, warming the icy air. But the moment was short-lived. As Scarlett scooped up another handful of snow, a sleek black SUV pulled up to the curb in front of the house. The engine rumbled for a second before the driver stepped out. Her breath caught in her throat. Ethan Pierce. Scarlett’s heart pounded in a way that had nothing to do with the cold. She hadn’t seen him in over a decade, not since her brother’s high school graduation. Back then, Ethan had been a lanky teenager with an easy smile and a mop of dark hair that never seemed to cooperate. But the man who stood before her now was anything but boyish. He was taller and broader, his sharp jawline dusted with a hint of stubble. His dark coat and scarf gave him an air of quiet confidence, though his deep green eyes still held that familiar glint of mischief. “Scarlett,” he said, his voice low and warm, sending a shiver down her spine. “Ethan,” she managed to reply, her voice faltering slightly. “What are you doing here?” He hesitated, glancing briefly at Lila, who was now peeking out from behind Scarlett’s legs with curious eyes. “Your brother asked me to check in on you,” he said finally. “He was worried about you being back here alone.” Scarlett frowned. “I’m not alone,” she said, placing a protective hand on Lila’s shoulder. “And Daniel didn’t need to send a babysitter.” Ethan raised his hands in mock surrender. “Fair enough. But I figured I’d stop by anyway. It’s been a long time.” Too long, Scarlett thought, though she didn’t say it. Her mind raced, trying to reconcile the man before her with the memories she had of the boy who used to tease her mercilessly during family barbecues. Back then, Ethan had been her brother’s best friend, practically a fixture in their house. She had nursed a secret crush on him for years, though she had always assumed he saw her as nothing more than an annoying little sister. Now, standing here in the snow with him, those old feelings bubbled to the surface—confusing, unwelcome, and impossible to ignore. “Lila,” Ethan said, crouching down to her level. “You must be Scarlett’s daughter.” Lila nodded, her wide eyes taking him in. “Who are you?” she asked, her tone both curious and cautious. “I’m Ethan,” he said with a smile. “An old friend of your mom’s.” Lila looked up at Scarlett for confirmation, and Scarlett nodded. “He’s... family, in a way,” she said, though the words felt strange on her tongue. Lila seemed satisfied with that answer. She gave Ethan a shy smile before darting back into the house, leaving the two of them alone. Scarlett crossed her arms over her chest, suddenly aware of how close Ethan was standing. “So, is this just a social call?” she asked, trying to keep her tone light. Ethan hesitated, his gaze dropping for a moment. “Not exactly,” he admitted. “I was hoping we could talk.” Scarlett’s stomach twisted. There was something in his voice—something serious and unsettling. She wanted to ask him what he meant, but before she could, the sound of a door slamming made them both turn. James Mercer stood on the sidewalk, his tailored coat and leather gloves a sharp contrast to the rustic charm of Aspen Grove. His expression was cold, calculating, his dark eyes narrowing as they landed on Ethan. “Scarlett,” James said, his voice smooth but laced with venom. “We need to talk.” Scarlett’s heart sank. Whatever peace she had hoped to find here was slipping through her fingers like grains of sand. Ethan stepped closer, his presence steady and reassuring. “She doesn’t have to talk to you,” he said evenly, his tone carrying an edge that made Scarlett’s pulse quicken. James smirked, his gaze shifting between them. “I see you’ve got company,” he said. “How quaint.” Scarlett swallowed hard, her mind racing. She could feel the storm brewing, the tension crackling in the air like an approaching blizzard. And at that moment, she realized that her quiet holiday in Aspen Grove was about to become anything but peaceful.