EMBER’S POV

The crack of her palm against my cheek echoes through the silent room, and for a moment, everyone freezes.

Then I slap her back.

Harder than she hit me. Hard enough to snap her head to the side, hard enough to leave a red mark blooming across her cheek.

She gasps, hand flying to her face, eyes wide with shock.

“That’s for every lie you told in that courtroom about me,” I say.

And I slap her again.

This one catches her off balance and she stumbles, grabbing the edge of the table to keep from falling.

“That’s for selling me to a monster and expecting my gratitude.”...