The sting on Marceline’s cheek pulsed in time with her heartbeat. Water still slid down the back of her neck and under the collar of her soaked dress. The babies had gone quiet, a heavy, watchful stillness that somehow made everything feel extra dreadful.
She looked at Vivian for a long second. The older woman’s chin was high, eyes bright with the kind of satisfaction that came from landing a blow and expecting no answer.
Marceline’s hand moved before she fully decided to let it.
The slap cracked across Vivian’s face hard enough to snap her head sideways. The sound bounced off the marble and the high ceiling. Vivian staggered a half step, one hand flying to her cheek, eyes wide with pure shock.
“You—” Vivian started.
“Don’t.” Marceline’s voice came out low and rough. “Don’t you say an
