Hailee's POV
Before I could even process what was happening, a hard slap landed across my face. Father.
The slap was so fierce my head snapped to the side, and for a moment, darkness clouded my left eye. A shrill ringing flooded my ears, drowning out every other sound in the room.
"How dare you!" Father spat, his voice shaking with rage.
I couldn't answer. My mouth opened, but no words came. My cheek burned, throbbing under the heat of his hand. Slowly, I raised my trembling fingers to touch the spot, trying to steady myself.
"You fool!" His voice boomed again, echoing off the walls. "Do you even understand what you've done?"
Still, I didn't respond. My lips were pressed tightly together. I blinked rapidly, trying to force my blurred sight to return. Spots danced in front of my eyes.
Step by step, I moved away, my body heavy, unsteady. I found a chair and lowered myself onto it, still clutching my cheek, my chest rising and falling as I fought to keep my head held high.
