The man sneered, his shoulders squared with pride. "As you can see, nobody here saw what you claimed I did," he muttered.
"Now get on your knees and beg me for laying a false accusation against me," he ordered, voice cold and unyielding.
His expression turned darker when Valessia didn't move.
"I said get on your knees, whore," he growled. He grabbed her by the shoulder and shoved her down hard.
Virema darted in front of Seraphine, blocking the little girl's view, terrified she would witness her mother being humiliated.
"One day... all of you are going to regret this," Valessia whispered, voice trembling. She bit down on the inside of her mouth, refusing to cry out as his claws dug into her skin, his grip bruising, crushing her collarbone like he meant to snap it in two.
The sting cut deep, but Valessia welcomed it. She knew he was targeting her injured shoulder, hoping she'd scream. But she wouldn't give him the satisfaction.
