Allison felt as though her lungs had been punctured as her palm met Eileen's cheek with a resounding slap. "I'm your mother, how dare you become so disobedient!"

The slap echoed crisply, yet amidst the bustling square, it seemed as insignificant as a pebble dropped into the vast ocean.

Eileen turned her head slightly, her tongue pressing against her jaw. After a moment, she slowly turned to face Allison, her gaze icy, locked onto her.

A chill ran down Allison's spine.

She looked at Eileen with fear, as if she were the one who had been struck.

Eileen stared at her, now completely as if she were a stranger.

"If...