Ruben’s leg slammed against the door until it gave way and crashed to the floor. He stormed in, demanding my phone. I refused, clutching it tightly.
He lunged for it, trying to take it by force, and I bit down hard on his hand.
He swore, anger flashing across his face as he raised his hand to slap me, but I was quicker. My knee drove straight into him, and he doubled over with a sharp grunt, crouching in pain.
All my focus was on him, so I didn’t see Nina coming. The vase hit my back before I could react.
Pain shot through me as I fell, my palm scraping against the floor. She snatched my phone from my hand in one swift move.
Before I could get up, Ruben, still swearing, landed a slap across my face so hard it rang in my ears.
“You’ll learn,” he spat. “I’ll deal with you until you com
