Agony exploded up my arm, white‑hot and unbearable, like fire tearing through my veins. I screamed and struggled, but she shoved harder, forcing my hand down as the bowl rattled wildly. It tipped, smashed against the floor, and shattered. Scalding liquid splashed everywhere.
When I finally tore free, I clutched my wrist, gasping. The skin was already swelling, blistering, red and raw. My hand didn’t even feel like part of my body anymore.
Footsteps thundered in as the crash echoed through the room. Before I could even speak, Lilith raised her hand and burst into fake tears. “Thorne! She threw the soup at me! She lost her temper and did it on purpose! My hand hurts so much…”
Thorne didn’t hesitate. His expression darkened instantly as he grabbed my injured wrist with brutal force.
“Aria! What is wrong with you?” he snapped. “Apologize to Lilith right now!”
Pain shot through me and I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood. I yanked my hand away and shoved it toward his face. My palm was blistered, swollen, burned raw.
“You want me to apologize?” I said hoarsely. “Look at this. Look properly. Tell me who got burned. Tell me who really did what.”