To me, she looked like a mime in a silent film—baring her fangs, waving her claws, looking utterly ridiculous.
I stepped around her, heading for the bathroom.
Isabella lunged forward, grabbed a fistful of my hair, and yanked my head back.
"I'm talking to you! You deaf bitch!"
*Deaf.*
Well. She got one thing right.
I spun around.
My gaze turned to ice.
I might be deaf, but I wasn't stupid. And I certainly wasn't a punching bag.
I raised my hand and slapped her across the face with everything I had left.
*Crack.*
I couldn't hear the sound, but my palm stung from the impact.
Isabella froze, clutching her cheek, staring at me in disbelief.
A split second later, Isabella threw herself backward with a silent scream.
Her timing was flawless—collapsing right into Joshua's arms as he rushed over to investigate the commotion.
"Joshua! She hit me! She called me a homewrecker and said she wanted to ruin my face!"
Tears streamed down her cheeks. Her body trembled like a delicate flower in a storm.
A perfect performance.
Joshua cradled her against his chest, his face softening with concern. But when he looked up at me, his eyes were glacial.
"Faith, are you crazy?"
He lunged forward, shoving me hard.
My back slammed into the wall. The impact jarred my organs, knocked the breath from my lungs.
"I warned you not to touch Isabella." His face hovered inches from mine, murderous. "Do you think our history protects you? Do you think I won't hurt you?"
*History?*
Did he really believe any sentiment remained between us?
If he knew me at all, he would know that dignity was the only thing I had left. He would know I never raised a hand against anyone—unless I was pushed past the point of endurance.
I struggled to stand, using the wall for support.
No explanations.
No tears.
I simply smoothed my messy hair and pointed toward the bathroom. *I need to wash my face.*
My indifference infuriated him.
He let out a sharp, cold laugh.
"Fine. Good."
His sneer deepened. "Since you like being invisible, you can stay that way. You're not coming to the charity gala tonight."
His gaze raked over me with disdain. "I was going to take you out. Let you relax. But a crazy woman like you deserves to rot in this house."
He pivoted and marched away, Isabella tucked securely under his arm.
Over his shoulder, she shot me a triumphant smirk.
I watched them leave.
My heart lay flat and unmoving in my chest.
Not going was fine by me.