"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?"