“I’m not here to be insulted,” I said coldly. Then I looked Piper dead in the eye. “My mother was not a thief. She didn’t raise me to seduce men like some women raise their daughters.”
The words had barely left my mouth when a vicious slap exploded across my cheek.
My ears rang. My body hit the ground hard.
The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth.
Colin stood over me, expression cold and condescending.
“You spread rumors about her! Don’t you know it makes her suffer? How long are you gonna keep this going? Do you want her to kill herself?”
I pushed myself up, my face burning with rage.
“She suffered? She?!” I barked out a laugh, bitter and broken. “She suffered from her own stupid choices! And you—you know exactly what she did. My mother is dead! I lost everything and you're just going to stand there and let her play the victim?!”
The whispers started—quiet at first, like a ripple, then louder as the crowd leaned in.
Colin’s jaw clenched tight.
“Leave,” he growled under his breath. “Go calm yourself down. You've embarrassed yourself enough in front of the guests.”
The garden buzzed with elite chatter.
Mr. and Mrs. Marks quickly stepped in with flutes of champagne, smiling stiffly.