“And you?” Her smile widened, her contempt obvious. “You’re just as pathetic. Damaging your hand was only the first step. If you don’t obediently divorce Charlton, I’ll make the rest of your life nothing but endless darkness!”
That was it. The last of my restraint shattered.
I raised my hand and slapped her so hard that the blow cracked through the room.
But Mariam didn’t flinch. She didn’t move or blink.
Instead, her eyes glistened. Tears welled instantly, and her lips trembled.
“Dr. Crumpler, I only wanted to apologize to you. Why would you suddenly hit me?”
The door burst open. Charlton rushed in with the little boy.
“Arizona!” His furious shout struck my ears like a thunderclap.
He jabbed a finger at me, eyes blazing. “You’ve gone too far!”
My chest heaved, my throat raw as if slashed by knives. “She said—”
“Charlton, don’t blame Dr. Crumpler.” Mariam sobbed, tears streaming down her cheeks. “She’s just too upset…”
Charlton’s anger wavered, replaced by distress. He pulled her protectively into his arms and glared at me coldly.