Emily's POV
I stood frozen, my hand on my stinging cheek, my eyes locked with Asher's. The sharp sting of his sudden slap sent shockwaves through me, and I couldn't fathom why he had just struck me. It was a moment of pure embarrassment, my cheeks flushing with a mix of emotions. I turned my gaze to Bella, who wore a sly grin, clearly reveling in the chaos she'd set in motion.
"How dare you slap me?" I spat, anger dripping from every word, my rage burning hot within me.
"Didn't you hear what she said? Bella is one of us," Asher replied sternly, his expression unwavering.
"That still doesn't explain why you just slapped me," I retorted, my anger growing stronger by the second.
"Bella, all of this is a misunderstanding, and we need to avert this crisis," Asher continued, seemingly deter
