She was three steps away when it happened.

Khloe stumbled forward suddenly, water sloshing violently. The pitcher slipped from her grasp and shattered on the hardwood floor, sending water and ice everywhere. My daughter landed hard on her knees in a puddle.

Before I could even move, Vivien was out of her chair.

The transformation was instantaneous. Her face twisted into something ugly and terrifying as she descended on my daughter.

“Clumsy little brat.”

The slap echoed through the dining room like a gunshot. Vivien’s hand connected with Khloe’s cheek with such force that my daughter’s head snapped to the side.

For a split second, there was silence.