Chapter 50

"Denise, please don’t be mad, I’m begging you... He’s my only son!" The woman was already crying so hard her face was soaked with tears. "I’m sorry. If it were anything else, maybe I could let it slide. But what Ryan did... it’s just too much. If it happened to you, would you forgive him? We’re both women—you should think about it. And he’s not even sorry. He had the nerve to slander me right in front of my friend. Tell me, doesn't he deserve everything that’s coming to him? I know it’s harsh, but what choice do I have? He made his bed, now he has to lie in it." She paused for a moment, then her gaze turned colder. "And don’t pretend you didn’t know what he was up to. I know all about your ties to Vivian. You’re her distant cousin in Blue Ridge Town, right? How many favors did she offer you? You know what I mean." The second Denise mentioned Vivian, the woman’s face changed instantly. “I’m sorry, I really am. Yes, I’m Vivian’s family—but Ryan’s innocent! He did what he did because he l