Vivian's POV
The ceramic plates exploded against the marble floor with a deafening crash. I stood frozen in place, watching the fragments spread across the pristine kitchen like a porcelain snowfall.
"Dear God," Salena breathed, her grip tightening on the cast iron pan. "Don't you dare move a muscle! You're standing there in bare feet."
She was already hurrying toward the utility closet, her movements quick and efficient. I remained statue-still as she commanded, my muscles locked with tension. The awareness that Liam stood mere steps behind me made my skin prickle with electric anticipation.
That awareness proved to be my downfall.
When I turned to gauge his reaction, my heel found the treacherous curve of a porcelain shard. The world tilted sideways as my balance deserted me completely.
