As My Daughter Burned, He Lit Fireworks for Her

"Let go of me," Elinor said, her voice trembling with a mix of pain and fury.

She twisted her arm, wrenching it out of Derick's grip. She stumbled back a step, cradling her wrist. A vivid red bracelet of fingerprints was already blooming on her skin.

Derick stepped forward, his jaw clenched. "Apologize. Right now. Or I swear I'll have you removed."

Kamryn was still leaning against the sofa, her hand covering her mouth as fake sobs shook her shoulders. Kiana, frightened by the shouting, started to cry, big tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Bad lady!" Kiana wailed, pointing at Elinor. "Don't yell at my mommy!"

Elinor looked at the little girl. At her healthy pink cheeks, her strong lungs, her intact, functioning body. A body that was alive while Cece's was ash in a locket.

The grief and the rage twisted together inside Elinor, snapping something loose. She started to laugh.

The sound was harsh, grating, completely devoid of humor. It echoed through the lobby, causing the onlookers to step back in alarm. Kamryn stopped crying, her eyes widening as she watched Elinor.

Derick hesitated, thrown off by the sound. "Elinor?"

Kamryn leaned forward, her face partially hidden by her hair. A smirk played on her lips, her eyes glittering with triumph.

Elinor saw that smirk. She saw the red mark on Kamryn's cheek from the hospital slap days ago, fading but still visible. The woman thought she was untouchable.

Elinor stepped forward, closing the distance between them in a flash. She drew back her hand and swung.

The slap rang out like a gunshot.

Kamryn shrieked, the sound piercing the quiet lobby. She fell backward onto the sofa, her hand flying to her face, her body crumpling like a ragdoll.

Derick stood frozen, his eyes wide, his brain struggling to process what had just happened.

Kiana screamed, scrambling to the far end of the sofa, hiding her face in the cushions.

Elinor didn't stop. She pivoted, turning her body to face Derick.

He saw the look in her eyes and instinctively took a half-step back, but his pride caught him. He straightened up, squaring his shoulders.

Crack.

Elinor's palm connected with Derick's cheek with every ounce of strength she possessed. The force of the blow snapped his head to the side. A coppery scent hit the air as his teeth cut the inside of his cheek.

The lobby went dead silent. Even the background music seemed to stop.

Derick slowly turned his head back to face her. A thin line of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth. His eyes were dark, lethal.

He reached out and grabbed a fistful of Elinor's blouse at the collar, hauling her up onto her toes. "Are you out of your mind?" he hissed, his face inches from hers.

Elinor didn't flinch. She stared into his furious eyes, her own gaze steady and full of disgust. "Derick Grant," she said, her voice low and clear. "We are done."

Derick's fingers trembled against her collar. The certainty in her voice seemed to unbalance him more than the slap.

Elinor reached up and pried his fingers off her shirt, one by one. She smoothed out the wrinkled fabric, her movements deliberate and calm. She looked over at Kamryn, who was still clutching her cheek, mascara running down her face.

"Enjoy him," Elinor said coldly. "Your days are numbered."

Kamryn flinched, the fear in her eyes genuine this time.

Elinor turned back to Derick. "My lawyer will be in touch."

She reached into her purse. Her fingers closed around the cold band of metal inside. She pulled out her wedding ring-a large, flawless diamond set in platinum. She had taken it off the night Cece died.

She held it up for Derick to see, then let it drop.

The ring hit the polished marble floor with a sharp tink. It spun in a circle, the diamond catching the light, before rolling away under a nearby chair.

Elinor turned on her heel and walked toward the exit. She didn't look back. She kept her spine straight, her shoulders back, even though her wrist throbbed and her heart was shattering all over again.

Derick stood rooted to the spot. He stared at the spot where the ring had landed, the sound of it hitting the stone echoing in his ears like a closing door.