The room erupted in chaos. Gasps and murmurs filled the air, punctuated by the harsh clatter of phones being raised to capture the scene. The world around me blurred, a swirling mosaic of shocked faces and whispered disbelief. My cheek burned fiercely, each heartbeat sending sharp reminders of the blow radiating across my skin.
I glanced up from the floor, where fragments of broken gifts lay scattered like evidence at a crime scene. The pain was palpable, but it wasn’t just physical. It was the sting of betrayal and humiliation, a wound far deeper than any strike could inflict.
Ethan was already at my side, his face a portrait of shock and anger. His hands trembled as he reached for me, gently helping me to my feet. I could see the conflict in his eyes—the struggle between loyalty to his father and protection for his wife.
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