Natalie's head shook in desperation, her limbs bound and a thick cloth gagging her. Emmett showed no mercy, denying her even the solace of anesthesia, forcing her to bear the torment of being branded.
The scorching iron seared her skin, leaving a scar identical to Alice's. The excruciating pain radiated through her entire body. She tried to scream, but the cloth muffled her cries. Her body convulsed under the intensity of the pain until, finally, her world turned black, and she succumbed to unconsciousness.
The following morning, Alice awoke in the hospital, her reflection in the mirror causing her to scream in horror. Her skin was a mess of rash and hives, even on her face, accompanied by an unbearable itch.
Emmett rushed to her side, restraining her from scratching. “Alice, the rash isn't serious. It'll disappear quickly with medication.”
“I look like a disaster! How quickly will it disappear? Can it be gone today? Mom, why did this happen to me?!” Alice was on the brink of a breakdown.
“Have you no shame?” Curtis reprimanded, his face pale with anger. “The doctor said it might take a week to heal if you follow instructions carefully. You have only yourself to blame for drinking. You nearly turned the Cullen family’s engagement party into a complete farce.”
The engagement party had been missing its key player: Alice, the bride-to-be, struck down by a sudden allergic reaction to alcohol. Alice's hand flew to her mouth in dismay as she realized the date. "The engagement party! Where's Adrian?"
Panic surged through her. She had worked tirelessly to secure this future for herself.
Emmett tried to soothe her. "You've been unconscious. Your father and I decided to have Natalie stand in for you at the engagement ceremony. With makeup, she looks similar enough to you to pass unnoticed."
"What?" Alice's voice rose in shock.
"Mom, how could you let that little...," Alice's insult trailed off as she remembered Curtis was still in the room. "How could you let Natalie stand in for me?"
Her heart pounded with anxiety. If Adrian discovered the truth, her world could crumble. After all, Natalie was the one who had slept with Adrian.
What if Natalie sought to steal her place by Adrian's side, enticed by wealth and status? Alice couldn't bear the thought of losing everything.
"Would you rather we cancel the engagement party? Look at yourself!" Curtis was at a loss, his gaze falling on Alice's rash-covered body.
Alice muttered softly, "It's not like I wanted this. I'm usually not allergic to alcohol; who could have thought I'd react to ume plum wine?"
She wanted to explain further, but the growing anger in Curtis's eyes silenced her.
Emmett suggested, "Curtis, you've had a long day. Go and get some rest. I'll stay with Alice."
After Curtis left, Emmett approached the bedside and scrutinized Alice's face. "Alice, Rosalie is still in the hospital, and her medical expenses rely on our support, so don't worry. For now, just focus on recovering. Once your rash fades, you can return triumphantly as Mrs. Howard."
Alice pondered this. With Rosalie around, Natalie wouldn't dare defy their arrangements. But still...
"Mom, have the doctors use the best medicine. I need to recover quickly."