Sulfuric Acid on My Wedding Gown

The day I was trying on my wedding gown, a strange woman stormed into the VIP suite and plunged a knife into me.
You think a homewrecking bitch like you deserves to wear a dress this expensive?
She ripped the hem of my gown, a twisted snarl on her face as she hurled a vial of acid at me.
The cold blade was already buried in my stomach. I collapsed to my knees in agony, but she grabbed my hair, forcing my head up. Ethan is my husband. What the hell are you? A dirty little secret he keeps on the side!
Blood dripped from my fingertips. In that moment, it all clicked into place.
The man Id loved for seven years, my fianc, had another woman.
What are you looking at? she sneered, her voice dripping with arrogance. Even if I kill you right here, with my husbands power, no one can touch me.
Looking at her smug face, I took out my phone with a blood-slicked hand and dialed my brothers number.
Rovan, I said, my voice terrifyingly calm. Come get me at the bridal shop.
And while youre at it, inform the Cranston familythe engagement is off.

1
After I hung up, I looked down at the multi-million-dollar couture gown, now eaten away with gaping, blackened holes. My exposed skin burned from the high-concentration acid. A foul, yellowish liquid mixed with blood oozed from the festering wounds.
I stared at the woman, Sophia, the fury in my eyes hot enough to incinerate her.
But the onlookers who had gathered because of my phone call just burst into laughter.
Hahaha, she actually dared to steal from Mrs. Cranston? Shes really in for it now!
Sophia pointed a sharp, manicured finger at my nose.
Slut! Still putting on an act? You think calling some nobody is going to make me let you go? she shrieked. What family? Hawthorne? Never heard of it! Im calling the cops right now to have you arrested, you little wedding-dress-stealing whore!
I pressed a hand to my seared flesh, hot blood seeping through my fingers. The rapid blood loss made my vision swim. Looking at the thugs standing behind Sophia, I regretted not bringing my bodyguards today.
I glanced around, my eyes pleading for help.
But they just watched, cold and detached, whispering amongst themselves with mockery in their eyes. No one dared to step forward.
Gritting my teeth against the pain, I lifted my head and stared her down, my eyes crimson with murderous intent.
I dont know who you are, but let me tell you something. My name is Hawthorne. Seraphina Hawthorne. Of the Hawthorne family. Get the hell out of my sight before I decide to kill you right here, right now.
Enraged by my stare, Sophia kicked me hard in the stomach.
What damn Hawthorne family? You think Im scared of you? she spat. Let me tell you something! I, Sophia, am the wife of Ethan Cranston, CEO of the Cranston Corporation! Who the hell are you to talk to me like that?
The kick tore the stab wound wider. A fresh wave of blood and pus gushed out, but in that moment, I barely felt the pain.
Sophias words echoed in my ears. Shes Ethans wife?
Then who was I?
Seeing the triumphant look on her face, a bitter laugh escaped my lips. I finally understood.
Ethan he was cheating on me.
The man my family had chosen for me, my partner for seven years had a secret wife.
I knew this wasnt the time to fall apart. Forcing my rage down, I spoke, my voice like ice.
Sophia, is it? Youre going to take me to a hospital, right now. And then youre going to tell Ethan Cranston to get his ass over there.
She looked at me, surprised. I shot her a look that could kill.
Because if anything happens to me today, the first person hell destroy is you, I hissed. And then, he can damn well die with me.
Sophia just threw her head back and laughed. She grabbed my hair again, her voice a shrill taunt.
Who do you think you are? Such big words! Daring to order my husband around? She slammed my head against the floor, her voice booming with arrogance. Even if I kill you today, the Cranstons have more than enough money to pay for it!
My head rang, my vision blurring into a red haze. Sophias stiletto heel twisted in the wound on my stomach. Pain and despair washed over me like a tidal wave.
Just then, the screech of tires tore through the air.
I saw the familiar Maybach pull up outside the shop, and the breath I was holding finally released.
I gave Sophia a cold, chilling smile.
I told you. My name is Hawthorne.
My brother is here. Are you ready to die?
Sera!
Rovans eyes blazed with a volcanic fury the moment he saw me. He rushed to my side, instantly shrugging off his jacket and wrapping it around my ruined dress and exposed body. He held me tight, his eyes overflowing with a pain that mirrored my own.
Are you okay, Sera? Dont be afraid. Im here now.
A sob caught in my throat, and tears I hadnt let fall finally streamed down my face. Rovan gently wiped them away before turning a murderous glare on Sophia.
Youre the one who dared to touch my sister. Youre looking to die.
Sophia acted as if shed heard the worlds funniest joke, doubling over with laughter. When she finally caught her breath, she shot my brother a dismissive look.
Big talk. Lets see if youre still breathing in a few minutes to back it up, she sneered. Men! Get him! Show him who hes messing with!
Her bodyguards charged. The men Rovan brought with him formed a protective circle around us, efficiently taking down the first wave. But more and more thugs poured out from behind Sophia, and soon, my familys guards were overwhelmed.
Rovan, I asked, my voice trembling, is this everyone you brought?
His face was grim. He squeezed my hand reassuringly.
Dont worry. Dads on his way. With everyone. His voice dropped to a low growl. Id like to see who has the nerve to lay a hand on Rovan Hawthornes sister.
Seeing her men fall one by one, Sophia started to panic. She shot us a venomous look and pulled out her phone.
You just wait! Im calling my husband right now to come and kill you!
The second the call connected, she started wailing.
Honey! Some guy named Rovan Hawthorne is picking on me! He says I hurt his sister and hes going to kill me! You have to come quick!
She put the call on speakerphone.
The moment she finished, the voice on the other end changed, laced with sudden, raw panic.
Rovan Hawthorne? Which Rovan Hawthorne? Where the fuck are you?! Dont move! Stay right there!
After seven years, how could I not recognize that voice? It was Ethan. And through the tinny speaker, I could hear the unmistakable tremor in every word he spoke.
Oh, Ill wait for you, alright.
Sophia hung up, a triumphant, piercing laugh echoing in the room.
Hah! My husbands on his way to kill you! He said he doesnt know any Rovan Hawthorne! Hell just pay for your deaths!
She pointed at her remaining thugs. Go! Whoever kills them first gets a million dollars from me!
At the mention of a million dollars, their eyes lit up with greed. One of them immediately snatched a fruit knife from a nearby table and charged at us.
Sera, close your eyes! Rovan yelled, spinning me around and shielding me with his body.
A warm, large hand covered my eyes.
I heard my brother let out a muffled grunt, and the thick, coppery smell of blood filled the air.
A terrible feeling seized me. I clawed at the hand over my eyes.
Rovan! What happened?!
The first thing I saw was the jagged gash on his arm, blood dripping onto the pristine white floor. Then a vicious kick sent us both sprawling. Rovan coughed, a spray of blood erupting from his lips.
ROVAN!
A scream tore from my throat, my heart shattering into a million pieces. I was unharmed, but my brothers shirt was already soaked crimson.
A black, venomous hatred bloomed inside me.
I looked up, my face a mess of blood and tears.
I snatched a pair of heavy tailors shears from a nearby worktable and launched myself at Sophias smug face.
SCHLICK!
I plunged them deep into her stomach.
AHHH!
Sophia shrieked in pain, but I just twisted the shears, grinding them deeper into her flesh.
You bitch! You dare to hurt me?! she screamed, grabbing the handle and kicking me away with her high-heeled shoe.
I slammed onto the floor, the metallic taste of blood filling my mouth.
Sophia had gone completely insane. Kill her! Someone kill her now!
Her thugs turned, their faces menacing as they swarmed towards me. A heavy wooden chair was lifted, ready to crash down on my head.
DONT YOU DARE TOUCH MY SISTER! a raw voice roared.
My eyes widened in horror as Rovan staggered to his feet and threw himself in front of me. The chair came down on his head with a sickening crack.
Rovan!
His body fell heavily on top of me. He convulsed for a moment, then went still.
Frantic, I tried to push him off, to lift him, but the thugs were on me, pinning me to the ground. My face was ground into the floor, my limbs held fast. I struggled, screaming through blood and tears.
Sophia just smiled, grinding her stiletto heel into my fingers.
Cant take it already?
I curled into a ball, the pain so intense my vision tunneled. Cold sweat drenched my body. Her crazed laughter was the only thing I could hear.
Dont you worry. I have a special gift for both of you.
A final blow, and my world went black.
When I woke up, my brother and I were in a glass-walled freezer.
The skin touching the frozen floor burned with a sharp, searing pain. I was shivering uncontrollably. Rovans face was already a deathly shade of blue-purple, frost clinging to his eyelashes.
I rubbed my hands together, trying to generate some warmth, and pressed them to his face. Blood and tears mingled, freezing on my cheeks.
Rovan, hold on! Dont fall asleep! Dads coming, hes coming to save us! Please, just hold on
I felt his breathing grow shallow, and my heart plummeted. I looked out at Sophia, my eyes so red they felt like they were bleeding.
Sophia! If anything happens to my brother, I will kill you with my own two hands!
She just laughed, striding into the freezer wrapped in a cashmere coat.
You really talk too much.
She roughly shoved a rag into my mouth and kicked me hard in the chest.
So much fire in you. I guess its time to cool you both off.
With that, she kicked over a bucket of water. The icy liquid spread underneath me, instantly freezing in the sub-zero temperature, cementing my battered body to the floor. The cold was a physical thing, a deep, agonizing pain that shot through my bones.
So? Do you like the gift I prepared for you?
She admired her handiwork for a moment, then hummed a little tune and left.
I looked at Rovans lifeless form, a wave of despair and regret so powerful it threatened to drown me. I hated that I couldn't just break through the glass and kill her.
And then
The phone in my pocket began to vibrate insistently.
My eyes snapped open. The caller ID read Ethan.
Ignoring the searing pain of tearing my frozen skin from the floor with every movement, I dragged myself toward the phone and answered.
Seraphina! Where are you? Ethans voice was frantic. We can talk about Sophia later! Just let her go! Or else He paused. Or else Ill hate you for the rest of my life!
The blood frozen beneath me steamed a faint, horrifying red. My heart felt like it was being crushed in a vice. My face twisted with a mask of pure, unadulterated hatred.
Hate me?
From the day we made our relationship official, Rovan had been secretly helping me prop him up, helping Cranston Corp become an industry leader in just three years, all so my father would finally accept him.
And he repaid us like this. Using my familys money to keep a mistress, letting her hurt me and my brother to the point of death.
That animal.
Sophia was the one trying to kill us.
The rag in my mouth turned my furious screams into muffled sobs.
Just then, Sophia returned. When she heard Ethans voice on the phone, she froze, then snatched it from me.
Hello, honey? Why are you calling her?
Ethan, hearing only silence from my end, sounded even more panicked.
Where is Seraphina?
So the little tramps last name really is Hawthorne, Sophia said dismissively. Im just teaching her a little lesson! Letting her know that Mrs. Cranston is not to be trifled with!
There was a dead silence on the other end. Then, Ethans furious roar exploded through the phone, so loud it was distorted.
SOPHIA! WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO TO SERAPHINA HAWTHORNE?! SHES THE HAWTHORNE HEIRESS!
ARE YOU TRYING TO GET ME KILLED, YOU PSYCHO?!
CRACK.
Sophias body jolted. The phone slipped from her hand and shattered on the frozen floor. Her eyes were wide with a terror that bordered on disbelief.
After several seconds of stunned silence, she whipped her head around to stare at me. Her composure was gone, replaced by frantic fear. She ripped the rag from my mouth.
Youre really Seraphina Hawthorne? she shrieked.
Blood trickled from the corner of my mouth. I gave her a cold smile. You believe me now? Good. Now get my brother to a
Before I could finish, she slapped me, hard.
Shut up! Im the one Ethan married! Im Mrs. Cranston! Who the hell are you?!
So what if youre Seraphina Hawthorne? That doesnt change the fact that youre the other woman!
She shoved her phone in my face.
And there it was. A digital copy of her and Ethans marriage certificate. My world dissolved into a roaring buzz.
I looked at the date on the certificate and started to laugh. A wild, broken laugh.
Now I knew why, starting five years ago, Ethan was always busy with work.
Hed married Sophia then.
And I, like an idiot, felt sorry for him, thinking he was working too hard. I begged Rovan to send over talented people from our company to help him.
All those nights he was supposedly pulling all-nighters at the office, he was with her.
Out of my seven-year relationship with Ethan, Sophia had been there for five of them.
It turned out I really was the homewrecker shed called me.
I laughed until tears streamed down my face. My body convulsed, and I coughed up a mouthful of dark, clotted blood.
My husband loves me! He would never yell at me like that! You seduced him, didnt you?! Sophia screamed, her hands closing around my throat. Say it! Say something!
I lunged forward and bit down hard on her wrist. The taste of her blood filled my mouth, so sickening I wanted to vomit. I spat a mouthful of bloody saliva at her feet and looked at her with pure contempt.
She didnt even flinch, her face a mask of insanity.
Just die! If you die, Ethan will be all mine!
She staggered out of the freezer. When she returned, she was carrying a canister of some unknown liquid.
She tipped it over my head, dousing me.
The acrid, pungent smell hit me instantly. I knew what it was.
Gasoline.
She was going to burn me alive.
Primal survival instinct kicked in. I grabbed Rovan, trying to drag him out of the freezer, but it was too late.
She flicked a lighter and tossed it at me. My clothes instantly erupted in flames.
The fire consumed me. The smell of burning flesh filled the small space. I rolled on the ground, screaming in agony, but the flames only grew stronger.
Maybe my screams were so horrifying they pierced through his unconsciousness. Rovans eyes slowly fluttered open.
Sera!
His eyes flew wide with horror and rage. He snapped the ropes binding him and stumbled towards me.
I endured the searing heat, screaming at him, my voice raw.
No, dont save me! Rovan, youll die too! Dont come over here!
But he didnt listen. He started beating at the flames on my body with his bare hands, his voice a desperate reassurance.
Sera, I wont let anything happen to you!
The moment his hands touched the fire, his skin blackened and peeled back, revealing the raw, pink flesh underneath. The look of agony on his face shattered my heart, but my tears evaporated in the heat before they could even fall.
He didnt stop, forcing a pained smile to his lips.
Dont cry, Sera. It doesnt hurt.
I had never seen my brother so broken. If it wasnt for me, this never would have happened. Regret was a poison, consuming me from the inside out. I beat my chest in despair, my eyes fixated on Sophia with a bottomless hatred.
It was all my fault. I did this to my brother. If I hadnt been so blind, so stupid, to fall for a monster like Ethan Cranston, we wouldnt be here.
I shrieked at her, my voice barely human.
Sophia! When my father gets here, I swear to God I will end you!!
She just laughed, a demonic sound. She sloshed the rest of the gasoline all over the glass-walled freezer and toyed with the lighter in her hand.
Still talking tough when youre about to die! Ill send you both to hell to be a miserable pair of siblings!
Just as the flames were about to engulf us both, two furious roars echoed through the building.
STOP! Ethan screamed, his face sheet-white as he burst in.
Who dares touch my children?
My father stormed in, flanked by a small army of guards. The moment he saw the state my brother and I were in, his eyes filled with an apocalyptic rage.
Ethans legs gave out, and he collapsed to his knees. Sophia just stood there, utterly dumbfounded.

First, search for and download the MotoNovel app from Google. Then, open the app and use the code "294132" to read the entire book.