Chapter 45

Carmela marched up to Max, her face flushed with anger. She looked him in the eye, her gaze steely and determined.

 "You invited my kids," she said, her voice shaking with emotion. "And I'm not going to let you hurt them."

Without warning, she raised her hand and slapped him across the face. The sound echoed through the room, and everyone gasped. The music stopped, and a hush fell over the crowd.

"Where are my kids?" Carmela demanded, her voice rising in pitch. She scanned the crowd, but there were too many people for her to see them. "Where are they, Max?"

Just then, Nichole emerged from the crowd, her eyes narrowed. 

"Carmela, what are you doing here?" she asked, her tone accusatory. "How dare you crash Max's party like this?"

Carmela turned to face her, her anger flaring. 

"I'm here for my kids," she said, her voice shaking. "I don't care about your stupid party.

Nichole crossed her arms, her face like stone. "You weren't in