A Step Back
Those I had risked my life to protect, the family I had once cherished above all, all of them had betrayed me.
This time, I would not make the same mistake.
Richard stepped forward. Each stride was deliberate. His towering shadow fell over me, enveloping me.
The air around us seemed to freeze.
He did not say a word.
He swung his hand with full force, slamming a harsh slap across my face.
The slap sent me staggering, my lip tearing open, and blood flooding my mouth with a bitter, metallic taste.