Chapter 6 - The Social Storm
While the legal gears were grinding into motion, another storm was brewing in the court of public opinion.
Tara Mills had not stayed quiet. Outraged that her money had been pocketed by Scott under the guise of an adolescent’s camp fund, she had confronted Becca directly in a local mothers’ Facebook group where both were active members.
The fallout was instantaneous.
By Tuesday afternoon, screenshots of the exchange were circulating through our suburban network like wildfire. Tara had posted the original flyer Scott made, along with her Venmo receipt and a simple, blistering caption:
*“Be careful when attending ‘family-friendly’ events hosted by Scott and Rebecca Miller. You might think you're paying a hardworking twelve-year-old for babysitting, but you’re actually paying for Scott’s brand-new home espresso bar while six babies are locked in a windowless basement.”*
The comments section was a bloodbath.
*“Are you kidding me? June is the sweetest girl! That is sickening!”* one mother wrote.
*“Wait, they locked the door? Isn't that an illegal fire hazard?!”* wrote another.
*“I attended that shower,”* a third parent chimed in. *“Scott told us June wanted to do it to prove she was mature enough to help with the new baby. He completely manipulated all of us!”*
At 4:30 PM, my doorbell rang. It wasn't Scott.
I looked through the side window and saw Becca standing on my porch.
She looked pale, her hands resting heavily on her swollen stomach. She was wearing oversized sunglasses despite the overcast sky, clearly trying to hide her face.
I opened the door, keeping the screen door latched between us.
“Becca,” I said coolly.
“Holly, please,” she said, her voice shaking with humiliation and stress. “You have to make Tara take that post down. People are messaging my employer. My baby shower registry was spammed with horrible reviews! This is ruining our lives!”
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“I didn't tell Tara to post anything, Becca,” I replied without an ounce of sympathy. “Tara made her own decision when she discovered that you and Scott took money from your friends and exploited June.”
“I didn't know about the money!” Becca cried out, pulling off her sunglasses. Her eyes were red and swollen. “Scott told me the parents offered to chip in for the food! I didn't know he charged them a childcare fee! I swear to God, Holly, I didn't know!”
