Celeste’s POV
The door slammed shut behind Alexander and the others, and I barely had time to set down my needlework before Mother’s hand cracked across my face.
The blow was so hard that it knocked me sideways off the chair. I hit the floor with my hands and knees, my cheek burning where her palm had connected. My ears rang from the impact.
“You stupid, worthless girl,” Mother hissed, grabbing my hair and wrenching my head up. “Do you have any idea what you almost cost us?”
I blinked hard against the sting of tears and pain. “Mother, I didn’t—”
Her foot connected with my ribs before I could finish. The air rushed out of my lungs and I doubled over, gasping.
“Shut your mouth.” Mother slapped me again, still gripping my hair so tightly that I could feel several strands coming loose fr
