The slap cracked through the air like a whip.
Merlina's hand collided with Conor's cheek so hard that her own palm stung from the impact.
She stood firm. Didn't blink. Her breath came quick, chest rising and falling, anger radiating from her.
Conor staggered back slightly, his cheek turning a deep red, his expression stunned. But Merlina's fury was louder than the silence that followed.
"I don't know how you were raised," she said through clenched teeth, "but you don't lie on the dead. Especially not my mother. Especially not about something this disgusting," she spat, rage trembling through her voice.
"I'm gonna let this go," he said. "Only out of the respect I have for your mother. But if you ever try this again," his voice dropped, deadly calm, "you're gonna regret it."
She stepped into his space. "Fuck you!" she snapped.
