Lily lay sprawled on the ground, her breath uneven, her mind a whirlwind of shock and humiliation.
Her cheek throbbed with pain, the sharp sting of Alex's slap still burning against her skin. For a moment, her thoughts were blank, her ears ringing from the sheer force of the alap she had gotten from Alex's hand.
She slowly lifted her trembling hand to her face, her fingers grazing the sore, swollen skin. It took a few seconds before her mind finally caught up with what had just happened.
Alex had slapped her. He actually dared to slap her. Her pupils were constricted. Impossible. She had been slapped before—but by Ethan.
Ethan, who was furious. Ethan, who was blinded by his own losses and frustrations. Ethan, who, despite hitting her, was still someone she loved.
But Alex? Alex had no right. He wasn't her lover. He wasn't her boss. Who did he think he was?!
