Don't Hurt Me Unless You Want Ten Times Worse

Born unable to feel physical pain, Maeve carries a curse called Karmic Retribution: anyone who harms her with malicious intent suffers ten times the pain they wished upon her. Her jealous cousin Chloe and the school's most popular girl, Brittany, both learned this the hard way. From then on, no one dared to touch her — until the night of her engagement gala.

Julian's childhood sweetheart, Lila, slashes her own hand and accuses Maeve of the injury. When Julian demands an apology, Maeve offers her arm, and Lila splashes scalding coffee over it. Lila's own skin blisters instantly, yet Julian blames Maeve and threatens to make her pay ten times over. Only when Maeve lowers her arm does the burnt skin slide away, revealing raw flesh.

In the hospital, Maeve's mother calls off the engagement and the family's merger with the Vance family hangs in the balance. Lila arrives to apologize, and a silver tag around her neck bears a number Maeve once wore herself. When Julian grabs Maeve's wrist, his finger dislocates — proof that his intent was malicious too.