I watched Maya fall to the ground, her hand pressed against her reddened cheek. The sound of that slap still echoed in my ears like a gunshot. The sight of her tears of pain and humiliation made something cold and dangerous unfurl in my chest.
But what happened next pushed me past the breaking point entirely.
Nora Blackwood wasn't finished with her cruelty. Her face twisted with malicious satisfaction as she looked down at Maya on the floor. Then her gaze shifted to Serena, who sat frozen in her wheelchair, tears streaming down her face.
"Look at you," Nora said with vicious delight. "Crying like a helpless child. How pathetic."
She stepped closer to Serena's wheelchair, her friends flanking her like predators circling wounded prey.
"You know what your problem is, Serena? You've always been weak. Even before the accident, you were nothing special. David only felt sorry for you."
"Stop," Serena whispered, her voice barely audible.
