The entire room fell into a horrifying silence after Clarke Larson's slap sent Sora crashing to the floor.
Even the machines beside Yuri's empty bed seemed to stop beeping for a second.
Yeongjae's eyes widened in shock.
"SO—RA!"
He moved instantly.
Before Sora's body could fully hit the ground, he dropped beside her and pulled her into his arms. One hand cupped the back of her head protectively while the other wrapped tightly around her waist.
"Sora, look at me," he said urgently, his voice shaking. "Are you hurt?"
Sora blinked slowly, one hand pressed against her burning cheek.
The sting was unbearable.
But what hurt more was the humiliation.
The hatred in Clarke's eyes.
As if she was filth beneath his shoes.
"What was that for?!" Yeongjae exploded, finally turning toward his grandfather.
But before he could even stand—
Isla stepped in front of them.
Her entire body trembled with rage.
No.
Not rage.
Years of buried fury.
