He Burned Me Alive, Now I Shine Like the Stars

Before I could even say no, Jacob shoved the pills toward my lips. "Come on, be a good girl. Let hubby feed you."

The bitter medicine slipped into my mouth as he half-forced it in. That sticky, nauseating taste spread instantly and the next thing I knew, the world spun around me. Taking advantage of my dizziness, Jacob grabbed my hand. "Honey, today's Kimmy's celebration party. Her biggest wish is to get your blessing. If you don't show up, people on the outside will start rumours about you being petty and not accepting your adopted sister. I'll go. Just get my clothes ready."

I knew Jacob had everything planned out. He wasn't going to give me an opening to say no anyway, so there was no point in arguing. Just then, my mother walked in and caught the end of our conversation. Her face lit up. "My sweet girl, I knew you were the sensible one. Once Kimmy's celebration is over, I'll personally organize your wedding with Jacob," she added with a smile.

I numbly pulled my hand back. At that moment, my heart felt like it had turned to ash. The car arrived at the house quickly. The moment I was helped out of the car, countless camera flashes suddenly swarmed me. I panicked and reached for Mom's hand but grabbed nothing. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her walking quickly away with Kimberly in her arms, not even sparing me a glance. My face turned pale. I lowered my head, clutching my hat tightly.

"Miss Stewart, we heard you were afraid your own sister would win the modelling competition, so you deliberately started a fire to burn her to death, but it backfired and you ended up burning yourself. Is that true?"

"Miss Stewart, someone as vicious as you still dare to come to your sister's celebration party? Don't you have any shame?"

"Miss Stewart, you're so good at twisting on the runway. How could you be afraid of losing your sister? Is it because the sugar daddies you're serving aren't satisfied?"

As one of the reporters spoke, they suddenly yanked the hat off my head. A collective gasp echoed all around. My burned, disfigured face was exposed under the harsh flashes of their cameras.

"Oh my god, that's disgusting! Is that a monster?"

"I'm gonna throw up! That's so damn ugly, like seeing a ghost in broad daylight!"

My heart pounded and my vision started to go black in waves. Sadly, they had no intention of letting me go. Several phones were held up, starting a live broadcast.

"Famous model Lilian Stewart, corrupt and malicious. Tried to set her sister on fire and ended up getting burned herself. Word is, there isn't a single patch of good skin left on her. Let's see what karma really looks like."

Someone started shoving me and I fell to the ground. The loose clothes I was wearing ripped easily. My arms, thighs, stomach, everything was exposed. A hoarse, broken sob escaped my throat. Then, my hands and feet started shaking uncontrollably. My whole body jolted like I was being electrocuted.

The reporters tearing at me seemed to have discovered something new and shouted excitedly, "She's having a seizure! This is amazing! Quick, get a close-up! This is all great footage!"

I rolled my eyes back in pain and white foam kept bubbling out of my mouth. I knew the drug was taking effect, but there was nothing I could do. Like a clown stripped bare, I let them tear my dignity to shreds. Suddenly, someone shrieked. A warm liquid flowed out from under me and a fishy, foul odour instantly filled the air. The immense humiliation made me unable to even cry. I wished I could just die right there and then.

While they kept expressing their disgust and insulting me, the camera flashed focused on my lower body, snapping away like crazy. I was like a dead dog, without a shred of strength left to struggle. "What are you doing! Who gave you permission to take pictures like that?"