"A piece of trash nobody wanted, no mother to raise you. Divorce Noel now, or one of these days you'll lose a hand or a foot, and wouldn't that be a pity..."

A ringing filled my skull. All I could see was the woman's vicious face, her mouth opening and closing, opening and closing.

Rage boiled over into a sharp, incredulous laugh. But Florence didn't give me a chance to fight back. She let out a piercing shriek, ripped open the front of her gown, and threw herself backward.

"Brooklyn!"

Noel came charging from the center of the ballroom and caught Florence, pulling her into his arms.

She sobbed so hard she could barely stand, tears materializing on command.

"Noel, I know what I am. I'm the other woman. I ruined your marriage to Ms. Simmons. I know I was wrong. I never should have come into your life. I'm the villain here. I'm the disgusting one."

Then she did what she always did. She slapped herself across the face, hard, twice.

Noel grabbed her wrists. His jaw was locked tight.

"Who said those things to you?"

Florence bit her lip, fingers twisting the fabric of her dress until her knuckles went white. "Please. Don't ask."

But when her gaze swept over me, her body trembled slightly.

"Someone like me could never afford to cross wealthy, powerful ladies like you. Noel, I was too naive. I thought love could conquer anything. I'm not worthy of you. Please, just let me go. I don't want to end up dead for no reason one day."

Noel's brows knotted tight, his eyes fixed on me with open hostility.

"Explain."

I lowered my hand, revealing my swollen, reddened cheek.

"You should ask her what she said to me."

"Ms. Simmons!" Florence shrieked, her voice shrill enough to cut glass. "Fine, I slapped you! But only because you threatened my parents' lives! They're ordinary people! If hitting me back will make you feel better, go ahead. I'm begging you, just don't hurt them."

My eyes burned red with fury. "You're lying. You were the one who—"

"Enough." Noel's voice cut through like a blade, cold and final. He looked at me with undisguised disappointment. "Brooklyn, I've spoiled you rotten."

"You think just because you have no parents, I won't touch you?"

Maybe I'd seen it coming. Maybe my heart had gone cold a long time ago.

I laughed, a hollow, useless sound. My eye sockets burned so badly they ached. "So how exactly do you plan to stand up for your precious darling?"