Malakai shoved Aurora away, and as she stumbled to regain her footing, he struck her across the face with a resounding slap. The force of it snapped her head to the side, leaving a burning sting on her cheek.
“How much did he pay you to open those filthy legs of yours?” Malakai sneered, his voice venomous.
Aurora slowly turned her head to look at him, disbelief etched on her face. She had always known Malakai’s temper, but she’d thought it stopped at words and threats.
Until now, he had used his guards to enforce his anger, never laying a hand on her directly. She’d thought, foolishly, that some part of him still cared.
But now, the realization hit her like a blow: Malakai didn’t love her. He despised her.
Her teeth clenched as anger began to boil beneath her shock. Without thinking,
