“Including the product of your affair,” Genevieve snapped. “After what you’ve done to Libby Hunter, you’ve lost all rights to be the moral compass.”

Holy Mother. How did they know? But right now, “how” wasn’t important. They knew and the implications pummeled her like the jagged spikes of an ice storm. A tremor in her toes quickly gained momentum and as she tried to keep her legs steady, a second wave of horror caught her. If these women knew Nick was Leo’s father, then all the members of the toy library, toddler gym, daycare, playgroup and the wine and whine club knew too. Her entire social network! Her throat threatened to close.

Years of well-honed survival skills fought their way through her thick fog of shock. “Genevieve, you don’t get to use unsubstantiated gossip to denigrate my character or inaccurately broadcast my private life at a public event.”

“I do when it’s the truth.”

“You wouldn’t know the truth if it bit you.”

“I think it’s you who’s been bitten.” Genevieve gave a triumphant humph. “Libby told me what you’ve done to her.”

Betrayal slammed so violently into Jess that it almost knocked her off her feet. The denigrating soundbites from her childhood escaped their soundproof box, screaming at her. Her best friend was so driven to hurt her that she’d just broken their long-held secrets pact and exposed innocent little people to the vicious gossip of the town. Jess had a momentary desire to inflict pain.

A white-faced Lexie dropped her arm away from Jess’s and glanced between Genevieve and Tenika. “Nick Pirelli’s Leo’s father?”

Tenika nodded vigorously, her eyes glinting with glee. “It’s disgusting, isn’t it?”

The growl of a lioness filled Jess’s ears and then a red hue blurred her vision. “My son is not disgusting!”

“He might not be yet, but give him time. He’s tainted by you and your mother.”

Years of fury poured out of her. “Leave my mother out of this!”

“I don’t think so. According to my mother, yours was a drunk and a ho.” Genevieve smirked. “You might have gone to university, had some high-flying job and worn designer clothes, but on the inside, you’re exactly the same as Linda. You’re white trash. You’ve got the morals of an alley cat and you’ll screw over anyone to get what you want.”

The muscles in Jess’s legs quivered like jelly and she gripped the handle of the stroller so hard her hands ached. “You’re talking BS like usual, Genevieve.”

“You’re not welcome here, Jess,” Tenika said. “It’s time you left.”

“This is a public event. I have as much right to be here as any of you.”

“Enjoy walking on your own then, because you stink so bad no one will come anywhere near you. Come on, Lexie,” Genevieve said.