Back inside the mansion, the sound of a sharp slap echoed through one of the quieter corridors. Caroline stared at her cousin in disbelief, one hand pressed against the reddening mark on her cheek. Tears welled almost immediately, more from shock than pain, her lips trembling as she struggled to find words.
"How could you..." she whispered before her voice rose. "I'm sick."
Lachlan's expression hadn't changed. If anything, it had become colder as he replied, "Then perhaps you should be resting in bed instead of wandering through the house accusing your sister."
The quiet disappointment in it stung far more than if he had shouted. Caroline laughed bitterly, shaking her head. She said,
"Father died because of a witch. Everyone keeps pretending none of it matters anymore! Am I not even allowed to say what I think?"
