Shattered Defiance

Her foot had barely crossed the threshold when her arms were seized. Panic stole her voice, leaving only a sharp, choked gasp.

But it was quickly silenced by a stinging slap across her cheek. The overhead lights flicked on, and Brooke fell utterly quiet.

The defiance she'd carried with her shattered the moment the door swung open, completely crushed by the scene before her.

A smirk touched the cor