The others at the table also hurried to smooth things over.
"Scarlett, you know what Brenda's like. She can't control her mouth when she's had too much to drink."
"That's right, it's Tiffany's big day. Just let it go. Don't put on a show for everyone."
I snapped, "If Brenda doesn't want a scene, she can apologize to me right now! I want her to tell everyone here that she was lying, or I'm calling the police to sue her for defamation!"
Brenda glared at me. "Who do you think you are, Scarlett Sterling? How dare you demand an apology from me!"
My voice rang out, "And what kind of mother-in-law accuses her daughter-in-law of sleeping around and having an STD? Aren't you afraid of the consequences of spreading such vicious lies?"
My shouting drew the attention of the entire banquet hall. Brenda's face turned red with anger. "Lower your voice! Isn't this embarrassing enough for you?"
The situation was spiraling out of control. Tiffany was on the verge of tears. "Mom, please stop talking! I'm begging you!"
Ryan, who was at another table, heard the commotion and hurried over. "Mom, what are you and Scarlett arguing about? I could hear you from over there."
I grabbed his arm, my voice choked with indignation. "Your mother is telling everyone that I cheated on you and have an STD."
An accusation like that, in front of a crowd, was more than any man could tolerate. Ryan's face darkened instantly. He turned to his mother and said sternly, "Mom, how could you say something like that? I know Scarlett—she would never do something like that!"
After Ryan defended me, the guests' whispers began to shift in my favor.
"Mother-in-law drama is one thing, but Brenda is just vicious. She's so desperate to humiliate Scarlett that she's making her own son look like a fool."
"Some people just live to cause trouble. It's like they can't breathe without spreading rumors."
"If that were me, I'd have shut that mouth for her by now!"
Brenda, now being criticized by everyone, shrieked, "Ryan, she has you completely fooled! Do you think I'd be saying this if I didn't have proof?"
I stared at her. "If you can't produce that proof right now, I'm not letting this go!"
I had a clear conscience, so I wasn't afraid. I’d been a good wife and a considerate daughter-in-law. I loved Ryan and took care of Brenda, and I had never done a single thing to wrong them. I was curious to see what "proof" she could possibly have!
Brenda pulled a medicine bottle from her purse and handed it to Ryan. "Ryan, look at this!"
He took it, and his expression twisted into something even fouler. I was about to lean in for a look when he suddenly slapped me hard across the face and threw the bottle at me. "Scarlett, I trusted you! How could you do this to me?"
My cheek stung, but I didn't care. I snatched the bottle from the floor and read the label. It was a prescription for an STD—with my name and insurance information printed clearly on it.
I was stunned. What on earth was going on?
