Every vicious insult she could conjure, thrown like knives aimed at my heart.

Unfortunately for her, I couldn't hear a single word.

To me, she looked like a mime in a silent film—baring her fangs, waving her claws, looking utterly ridiculous.

I stepped around her, heading for the bathroom.

Isabella lunged forward, grabbed a fistful of my hair, and yanked my head back.

"I'm talking to you! You deaf bitch!"

*Deaf.*

Well. She got one thing right.

I spun around.

My gaze turned to ice.

I might be deaf, but I wasn't stupid. And I certainly wasn't a punching bag.

I raised my hand and slapped her across the face with everything I had left.

*Crack.*

I couldn't hear the sound, but my palm stung from the impact.

Isabella froze, clutching her cheek, staring at me in disbelief.

A split second later, Isabella threw herself backward with a silent scream.

Her timing was flawless—collapsing right into Joshua's arms as he rushed over to investigate the commotion.

"Joshua! She hit me! She called me a homewrecker and said she wanted to ruin my face!"

Tears streamed down her cheeks. Her body trembled like a delicate flower in a storm.

A perfect performance.