Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 562

She bit back her anger, clenching her teeth. “Why are you so worried about her anyway? I’m just telling it like it is!”

Walter’s mom gave a cold laugh. “Telling the truth? Please. What gives you the right to speak here?”

The Harrisons had been doctors for generations—think old-money, Harvard Med, the kind of family who’d been the President’s personal physicians back in the Civil War and still had connections in the White House today. Sure, maybe their bank account didn’t quite rival the Smiths’, but when it came to heritage and influence? The Harrisons were every bit their equals.

“So maybe you ought to climb down off that high horse of yours,” she went on. “Isn’t it a little ridiculous, looking down your nose at everyone? Before you go bad-mouthing Camila, maybe take a second to think about how things got this way. If Camila’s getting a divorce, maybe it’s because your family never appreciated her, never treated her right.”

Walter’s mom’s gaze flicked to the woman standing beside Barbara. “If your son could keep his hands to himself and hadn’t cheated on Camila with the woman standing right there, maybe you wouldn’t be here throwing shade. You want to talk about who’s shameful? Look in the mirror, Barbara. Your son’s behavior is disgusting, and so is hers.”

She didn’t raise her voice, but every word landed like a slap. Nobody missed the fact that she didn’t cut Barbara—or the whole Smith family—any slack.

Sandra Taylor, standing nearby, started to frown. She’d come along with Barbara, hoping to mix with the high-society Mrs. Smith crowd over at the Harrisburg Women’s Garden Club. Today was supposed to be all about networking, making friends with the ladies who mattered.

She hadn’t expected to run into Camila Davis, or the formidable Mrs. Wilson. Sandra was sharp enough to realize that Mrs. Wilson wasn’t someone to mess with. Barbara was definitely outmatched.

Barbara was fuming—she’d always cared about appearances, and being called out like this was more than she could take. She snapped, “And you think you’re so respectful? Maybe you should mind your own words! Whatever happened in the past doesn’t matter. Sandra is Mr. Smith’s fiancée now. Camila is history, so stop digging up old dirt.”

Walter’s mom shot back, “Then keep your mouth shut! The Smiths and Camila have nothing to do with each other anymore. She’s here to see me, and she hasn’t started trouble with anyone. If you want respect, try earning it first. Otherwise, what makes you think you deserve any?”

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