The force of the slap sent Solenne to the floor. Her cheek swelled instantly, her mouth filling with the taste of blood.
She was stunned.
Her ears rang, her vision blurred, and her mind went blank.
“Y-You hit me… because of her?”
Solenne could hardly believe it. Her eyes burned red with tears as she stared at him.
Since they’d met, Rockwell had never even raised his voice at her—let alone laid a hand on her. Around her, he was always gentle. Always patient. Always careful.
Seeing the shock on her face, Rockwell seemed to snap out of it. Only then did he realize what he had done—he had just slapped her.
“Solenne, I…”
He took a step toward her, instinctively trying to explain.
But before he could say another word, Chesca, who collapsed nearby with tears in her eyes, whimpered, “Rockwell, it hurts… so much.”
The moment she spoke, Rockwell turned away from Solenne without hesitation and rushed to Chesca’s side. He bent down carefully and helped her up, as if nothing else in the world mattered.
“Come on, I’ll take you to the hospital.”
“Rockwell—don’t you dare! If you walk out that door with her, we’re done!”