To Burn for His Betrayal

On the day I was trying on my engagement gown, a woman burst into the VIP dressing room.

She tore at my gown like a wild animal, her face a mask of fury. "A whore like you has no right to wear this gown!"

Then, she pulled out a thin-bladed dagger coated in lye and lunged at me.

The blade sank into my abdomen, lye searing my flesh. I collapsed in agony, the pristine white fabric staining a deep crimson.

She grabbed my hair, slapped me hard across the face, and roared, "Jonas promised to make me his queen! You're just a bitch in his way!"

Blood spread across the floor, and the truth hit me like a bullet. The man I had been with for seven years had been deceiving me all along.

"You still dare to glare at me?" she sneered. "My man owns this city's underworld. If I kill you, who's going to touch me?"

Trembling, I pulled out my phone with a blood-slicked hand and dialed my brother. "Felix, bring some men. Owen's bridal shop. And tell Papa the engagement is off."

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1

I hung up the phone. Excruciating pain wracked my body.

My mind felt thick, sluggish, wading through a haze of pain as the only sound was the frantic pounding of my own heart.

The wound in my abdomen felt like it had been seared with a branding iron. Every breath sent a fresh wave of agony ripping through me.

I trembled, grabbing a clothes rack for support. Scarlett Novak loomed over me, her eyes venomous.

"What, calling for backup?" she sneered, her voice shrill.

The shop assistants watched in horrified silence, too terrified to move. Hushed whispers filled the air, each word a shard of ice in my veins.

"That's what a homewrecker gets."

"That dress? She must have slept her way into it."

Poised on her heels, Scarlett viciously kicked my shin, sending me sprawling. "Who do you think you are? Who else is coming for you? Your precious Jonas?"

She grabbed my gown and sliced it open with the dagger. The blood-stained fabric scattered like withered petals. "Wearing my clothes, stealing my man? Let everyone see what a slut you are! I'm the real Mrs. Jonas Owen. You're just a piece of trash he's done with. Did you really think you could replace me?"

I jerked my head up. A sharp pain shot through my chest, but my gaze didn't waver.

I had been with Jonas Owen for seven years.

He used to stay with me late into the night in my art studio, gently wiping paint from my face. He had promised me, countless times, a future no one else could give me.

But now, this supposed wife of his had just stabbed me, calling me a bitch in her way. All his love and promises were nothing more than an elaborate lie.

The whispers buzzed around me like flies. I met Scarlett's gaze, and though my voice was weak, it held a core of steel. "I am not some plaything. Listen carefully. My name is Aurelia Delgado, the Principessa of the Delgado family."

Laughter erupted in the shop. Even Scarlett giggled. "Delgado? Don't make me laugh. A Principessa, lying here like a dog? Jonas said you're just a gold digger trying to climb the social ladder."

The tearing pain from the knife wound made me flinch. The lye was eating away at the tissue around it, and every breath felt like a sharp blade churning inside me.

Before I could retort, she roared, "Still giving me that look?" Her heel slammed into my abdomen, right on the wound.

Agony seized me, and I curled into a ball on the floor. But she wasn't finished. She grabbed my hair and slammed my head against the nearby mirror. "Still not convinced? I'm his woman. Killing you would be letting you off easy."

A bitter laugh escaped me, followed by a cough that brought up a mouthful of blood.

Seven years. A complete and utter lie. His "territory expansion"? Just a cover for his other woman. The future he promised was never meant for me.

It was over.

"If I die here, the wrath of the Delgado family will burn this city to the ground," I said hoarsely, using my last ounce of strength. "Jonas will be the first to burn. And to save his own skin, he'll let you take the fall."

Scarlett laughed, finding my threat ridiculous. "Who do you think you are? You think I'm scared? Jonas would never hurt me for a piece of trash like you!"

She raised the dagger again, her eyes filled with murderous intent. I was too weak to dodge, able only to stare at the cold, gleaming blade.

Just then, the screech of tires echoed from outside. My brother, Felix Delgado, had arrived.

I hauled myself to my feet, leaning against the wall and clutching my bleeding abdomen. I stared at Scarlett, enunciating each word. "I told you. I'm Aurelia Delgado. Are you ready to pay your debt?"

A flash of panic crossed her face, and for a moment, the satisfaction eclipsed my pain. Her assault and Jonas's betrayal would not be forgiven. Debts to the Delgado family are always paid in blood.