Silence.
The applause stopped instantly.
My mother’s expression twisted into something ugly.
Something furious.
Before I could react, she crossed the space between us.
The slap echoed across the ballroom.
My head snapped sideways.
One of my earrings flew across the floor.
Gasps filled the room.
For several seconds, nobody moved.
I slowly bent down.
Picked up the earring.
Straightened.
And looked directly into my mother’s eyes.
I expected regret.
I expected embarrassment.
