Author's POV~
Celeste's body trembled as she muttered curses under her breath, her eyes still burning with rage as she glared at the space where Selene had walked away. Her nails dug into her palms, her lips twisted with a sneer. "How dare she… How dare she mock me like that in front of everyone… She will pay for this, I swear..."
But before another word could leave her mouth, a hand clamped tightly around her wrist. Celeste gasped as her arm was yanked roughly, spinning her around with such force that her breath caught.
And then...slap!
The sound cracked through the air like thunder. Celeste staggered back with a stinging cheek, her vision blurring in disbelief. The crowd gasped again, but this time not for Selene. This time it was for her.
Her hand flew to her face, trembling. "W-what—" she choked out, her voice breaking. Her eyes lifted, and then they widened in shock. "M… Mother?"