Chapter 44

Rita could see the nervousness in her father's eyes as he prepared to share the truth with Ray. She knew that once the truth was out, it would change everything.

"Dad, can we talk privately for a minute?" Rita asked, placing a hand on his arm.

Her father nodded, and together they stepped away from Ray and the others.

"Dad, please don't tell Raythe truth," Rita said, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's too much for him to handle right now, and I don't want to risk losing him."

Her father's face fell in disappointment and regret. "But Rita, I feel like I need to come clean and admit what I've done. It's the right thing to do."

Rita shook her head. "I understand that, Dad, but sometimes doing the right thing isn't the best thing. Let's think about this for a while and come up with a plan. Promise me you won't say anything to anyone else until we've had a chance to figure this out."

Her father sighed and nodded his head. "Okay, Rita. I trust your judgment."

Rita knew that this was a t