Chapter 145 Asco

• I met her gaze, trying to remain calm, my lips curving into a weak smile in a weak attempt to diffuse the tension. But the gesture fell flat, dissolving in the air between us. Nothing was going to ease this. I could feel the weight of her emotions pressing down on me, suffocating, as her anger pulsed in the space between us.
• “You go on ahead,” I murmured to Dominic, nodding toward the building where the Sheriff had already entered. “I’ll catch up.” He hesitated for a moment, his hand lingering in mine, but he eventually nodded, releasing me before heading inside to follow the Sheriff.
• The moment they were out of sight, I turned to Victoria, taking a cautious step toward her. “Victoria, what happ—” My words never had a chance to finish. Before I could even say it, her hand shot out, striking my cheek with a sharp slap that echoed in the still air. The sting of it jolted my entire being, not just physically but emotionally. Shocked, my hand flew to my cheek as my eyes widened in disbelief.