#Chapter 190: The Slap

Iris & Arthur Iris Veronica’s head snaps to the side from the force of my slap. Her golden hair whips around her face, and for a moment, we’re both frozen in shock—me, with my hand still raised, and her, with her perfectly manicured fingers flying to her reddening cheek. I just slapped Veronica Willford. In the middle of the presidential office. In front of witnesses. And Goddess help me, it felt. So. Good. A strange sense of relief washes over me as I lower my hand. Like I’ve finally broken through some invisible barrier. Like I’ve stopped pretending that everything is fine when it clearly isn’t. Like I’ve finally shown what I’m really capable of rather than rolling over and taking all the abuse that comes my way. As I stare at Veronica clutching her face, something shifts in my perception. A veil has been lifted, and I can see her for what she truly is—not the perfect, sophisticated pianist or the charitable, kindhearted philanthropist. N