Chapter 1170

"What?" Ruth stared at him, eyes wide in shock. "How could that happen?" Noah couldn't bring himself to meet her gaze. He was terrified of seeing disappointment—or worse, disgust—on her face. With his head down, he forced himself to go on. "That's what my mom was talking about—me testifying in court. Bethany found several other victims, and they decided to come forward together. I'm the oldest, so I feel like… I should speak up. I don't regret it." He got it all out in one breath. Then, summoning the courage, he finally looked up at Ruth. Her eyes were already filled with tears. "Noah, why didn't you tell me sooner?" she asked, her voice shaking with concern. "You must have been carrying this pain for so long. But you didn't do anything wrong." She squeezed his hands tightly. "Noah, you're incredibly brave. You're amazing." Thrown off by her reaction, Noah stammered, "Y-You don't… think I-I'm… tainted?" "How could I? Why are you saying stuff like that?" Ruth shot him a stern loo