Chapter 1 - The Scent of Betrayal
The sharp, chemical scent of disinfectant hit my eyes before my brain could even process what my mother-in-law was holding.
I was standing in the opulent marble foyer of the Cross family mansion, my suitcase still resting by the door. This was supposed to be the first morning of my new life as a wife. The ivory silk of my wedding dress was carefully folded in my luggage, a silent testament to the vows I had taken less than twenty-four hours ago.
But the atmosphere in the grand entryway wasn't celebratory. It was suffocating.
"One day," Vivian Cross hissed, her voice dripping with venom. She stood before me, dressed in impeccable designer silk, looking more like an executioner than a mother-in-law. "One day married, and you already smell like you own the place."
She raised a heavy plastic bottle. The nozzle was pointed directly at my face.
Before I could react, she squeezed the trigger.
The liquid struck my eyes like liquid fire. The burning was instantaneous and blinding. I screamed, a primal sound of pure agony that echoed off the high, vaulted ceilings. My hands flew to my face, clawing at my burning eyelids as I stumbled backward.
"Daniel!" I shrieked, blindly reaching out for the man who had promised to protect me.
I felt his hands grip my shoulders. But he didn't pull me away. He didn't shield me.
His grip was iron-tight, locking me in place while his mother stood perfectly still, the bottle still raised.
"Stop overreacting," Daniel muttered, his voice cold and annoyed. "It’s disinfectant, not acid."
Through the agonizing blur of tears and burning chemicals, I forced my eyes open for a fraction of a second. I saw Vivian smiling. It was a cruel, triumphant smile that chilled me to the bone.
"A filthy, penniless woman like you doesn’t belong in this family," Vivian spat, turning on her heel.
May you like
My knees finally gave out. I collapsed onto the floor, curling into a tight ball beside my suitcase, pressing my hands against my searing eyes.
I heard footsteps. Through the haze of pain, I saw Daniel’s expensive leather shoes step carefully over my trembling body. He didn't reach down to help me. He was checking the pristine white rug to make sure the chemicals hadn't stained the expensive fabric.
