Struck by the blow, Grace Gordon saw stars dancing before her eyes. Her thoughts buzzed like a swarm of bees. Hair scattered across one side of her face... Her cheek stinging, she laughed coldly.
After roaring at Grace, Yvette Pratt realized she had slapped her. Seemingly taken aback herself, she stared at her numb hand... choking back a sob, she reached out to touch Grace, only to be shrugged off.
"Gr...Grace!" Yvette's pupil quivered lightly, "Mum didn't do it on purpose! Mum...Mum just didn't want you to get hurt. The deeper in you get, the greater the pain you will suffer later!"
She turned her head. Her unsullied eyes, clear as gemstones, were full of mocking, "Are you really worried about my pain, or are you afraid of losing the image of an ideal mother that you've built in Lana Kirk's eyes over the years?"
Yvette was left speechless.