Stephanie's POV
The word hung in the air. Bastard. It was like she had thrown a bomb into the middle of my heart. Every bit of control I had, every bit of the "Selene" act, shattered into a million pieces. A red-hot rage exploded inside me.
I didn't even think.
SLAP.
The sound was like a firecracker in the quiet store. My hand connected with her cheek so hard it stung my palm. Her head snapped to the side. For a second, there was just silence.
"You will never," I said, my voice low and shaking with a fury I didn't know I had, "ever, call my child that name."
Tiffany screamed. A real, raw scream of shock and pain. She clutched her face. "HOW DARE YOU! YOU ANIMAL!" She started flailing her arms, screaming for help. "SOMEONE! THIS WOMAN ASSAULTED ME! SHE'S A THIEF! SHE'S POOR AND SHE'S PROBABLY HERE TO STEAL! GET SECURITY! THROW THIS TRASH OUT!"
