The realisation of what she had done began to dawn on Camille as Jane's eyes brimmed with tears. A chill ran through her chest, the weight of her mistake pressing heavily upon her. She had made a grave error, one she needed to mend swiftly.
"Jane," Camille said, lowering her hand, her voice trembling with urgency. "I didn't mean to. You insulted my marriage, so I acted as I would with anyone else. You must understand me."
Jane stepped back as Camille reached out, her hand hovering in the air like a shadow she wanted no part of.
Camille's first words were not an apology for striking her, but excuses for her actions.
"Jane, dear. I didn't mean to. Let me see your cheek. You must understand that you cannot go around speaking about others' marriages," Camille pressed, her fingers twitching as though desperate to touch Jane's face.
