Chapter 2

The car door flew open, and a familiar figure appeared.

But I couldn't hold on anymore. The acid's bite felt like ants devouring me from the inside, my vision blurring. My hands, sticky with blood, pressed against my abdomen, the dark red staining my dress like a wilted rose.

"Brother, help!" I cried out with every ounce of strength I had left.

Chris sprinted toward me, and Vanessa's gaze flicked to him. She sneered, "Your brother or your lover? This is Thompson territory, and I'm untouchable here."

Chris ignored her, rushing to my side and scooping me up gently. His hands trembled with rage, though his touch was steady.

"I'm Chris Lopez! Who the hell hurt my sister?" His voice dripped with menace, his icy gaze sweeping the room.

The crowd's jeers stopped instantly, the bridal shop now a tomb except for my stifled groans.

Vanessa froze, then puffed up her chest. "I did, so what? My husband is Clarence Thompson. Touch me, and he'll wipe out your whole family!"

I coughed, blood splattering Chris's shirt, stark against the white. I asked weakly, "You didn't bring guards?"

The pain was unbearable, my consciousness slipping, but I continued, "Her knife had acid. I can't hold on."

Chris's voice softened, but the edge remained. "I was nearby, closing a deal without security. Dad is on his way with backup. He'll be here within ten minutes."

His eyes locked on my wound, murder in his gaze. "Who the hell dares to mess with the Lopez heiress?"

He stepped toward Vanessa. "Clarence Thompson, huh? You're his wife?"

"Damn right!" she shot back, whipping out her phone with a smug grin. "You think you can throw his name around? I'm calling him to break your legs."

I grabbed Chris's sleeve and shook my head, eager to see what Clarence would choose, his mistress or interests.

"Hospital first," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Vanessa blocked our way, cooing into the phone, "Babe, some guy named Chris Lopez says I bullied his sister and wants to kill me. Come save me!"

Clarence's voice crackled through. "Who has got the guts to mess with you? Where are you?"

"At the bridal shop you opened for me," Vanessa replied, her eyes gleaming with malice. "He says he'll make the Thompsons pay."

Clarence paused. "Who? Chris Lopez?"

"Yes." Vanessa raised her chin. "He is with Kimberly, and he says..."

"No way!" Clarence's voice spiked with disbelief. "You fought with Chris? You sure it's him?"

I gave a bitter smile, the pain in my gut dwarfed by the ache in my heart. He didn't mention a word about me. He only feared Chris's power.

Our relationship was nothing but a joke. He'd even ignore my texts.

My body went limp, nearly slipping from Chris's arms. He tightened his grip, roaring into the phone, "She stabbed my sister, and you're saying it's a mistake? Get your ass over here!"

Vanessa hung up with a smirk. "Some nobody trying to scam the Thompsons? Clarence doesn't even know you."

She waved a hand, summoning a dozen goons with steel pipes. "Even if you're some distant Lopez members, you think you can take us on?"

Chris set me down and turned to face them, but I staggered to my feet, grabbing a pair of fabric shears from a nearby table. "Anyone coming closer is done!"

I pointed the scissors at Vanessa, blood dripping from my hands, but I no longer felt the pain. My heart pounded in my chest, and my eyes blazed with hatred. "You want me dead? I'm taking you with me!"

I lunged, driving the scissors toward her abdomen. Vanessa's scream echoed through the shop like a banshee's wail.