Darkness had enveloped the room when I was jolted awake by the violent swing of my bedroom door. My eyes flew open, adjusting to the dim light as I struggled to make sense of the intrusion.
"You manipulative little witch!"
Lilith's voice cut through the peaceful silence of my nap. Before I could fully register what was happening, a stinging pain exploded across my cheek. She had slapped me.
"What the—" I started, but another slap silenced me.
"I know what you're doing," Lilith hissed, her face inches from mine. Her usually flawless makeup couldn't hide the rage contorting her features. "You've cast some spell on them, haven't you? Made them hate me!"
I touched my burning cheek, fury building inside me like molten lava. For years, I'd endured her torments. Her schemes. Her lies. The memory of her faking a miscarriage to turn the triplets against me flashed through my mind.
Something snapped.
"You hit me first," I said with eerie calm. "Remember that."
