Smack

The sound rang in my ears before the pain did.

As my head snapped to the side, a sharp sting spread across my cheek, hot and immediate. For a second, everything went quiet.

I could feel all eyes watching me, waiting for my next reaction. I stayed quiet. I didn’t want to give them any reason to make this harder than it already was.

“Kneel and clean my shoes,” Victoria’s voice rang out.

I looked up at her in disbelief.

I stayed standing, despite the physical and social pressure. I kept my dignity. Complete defiance.

This wasn’t an ordinary event. It was the annual high-profile corporate gala hosted by the Whitmore family empire — an event meant to reinforce hierarchy and power within elite circles.

Even though I was no longer treated as a daughter of the Whitmores, and I was here serving food trays like a servant, I refused to let go of my dignity.

I would never kneel down to clean her shoes!

I watched as Victoria stood in front of me, positioning herself to draw attention and show the difference in status.

I knew her intention was to provoke a reaction from me. I stayed composed. Unbothered.

I decided to leave. I had a lot of work to do.

But Victoria made me trip.

I lost my balance, and the tray I was holding fell. Red wine spilled across her shoes.

That’s what warranted the slap. That’s why she told me to clean her shoes.

I refused, blunt and calm.

“I will not degrade myself for something I didn’t intentionally cause.”

I was satisfied with the shock on Victoria’s face.

Victoria raised her hand to slap me again. Then she stopped. Her anger shifted into a controlled display of distress.

I watched as she started to cry.

The moment Ethan walked in, she became the victim. Sobbing, accusing me of doing it on purpose.

I froze. Confused by the sudden reversal.

I watched Ethan take Victoria aside with care and concern.

It reminded me of the past.

Victoria and Ethan had been childhood sweethearts.

He used to look at me with eyes full of care.

That ended after the DNA report.

“Ethan, she spilled wine on my shoe, and she’s disrespecting me,” Victoria said between sobs.

“Elena, you don’t have the right to disrespect Victoria. You will be punished,” Ethan’s voice rang out.

“But Ethan, you didn’t hear my side of the story! It wasn’t intentional,” I said, trying to defend myself.

Ethan wasn’t having it.

“After the gala, you will receive your punishment for disrespecting the young lady of the Whitmore family,” he said, reminding me of my fall. Of the past that still felt like a nightmare.

As the gala started to end and guests began leaving, I heard Victoria’s voice again.

“Ethan, I think I have a solution to the unpaid, broken, and insufficient tribute owed to the powerful billionaire,” she said quietly in his room.

I paused at the door to listen.

“What is the solution, Victoria?” Ethan asked.

“Elena should be sent in place of payment,” Victoria said.

“As a contracted ‘soother’ for him.”

The door opened suddenly.

I didn’t know what to say, but it came out anyway:

“I’m not going.”