Ryan tried to brush her off, his voice defensive. “Mom, sit down. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I know exactly what I’m talking about,” she shot back. “Do you think I didn’t notice the missing money from my purse? The nights you disappeared, thinking I was too tired to care? I’ve been carrying this alone, Ryan. And today, I’m done protecting you.”
A murmur swept through the courtroom, a collective intake of breath as her words pierced the mask Ryan had worn so proudly. Karen turned toward the judge, her eyes filled with both pain and resolve.
“Your Honor, my son believes he’s untouchable because I’ve been shielding him. He thinks consequences don’t apply because I’ve always softened the blow. If you want to know why he’s like this—it’s partly my fault. I made excuses. I wanted to believe he was still my sweet little boy.”
Judge Whitmore studied her carefully, his stern face softening for just a moment. “Mrs. Cooper, it takes courage to admit that.”
