The bright chandeliers lit up the grand ballroom of the luxury hotel, where over two hundred guests gathered for our wedding. Champagne flutes clinked, and soft music played in the background. My husband, Brandon, held his glass high, smiling down at me in my white dress. Everything seemed perfect until a sudden scream echoed across the floor.
Bridesmaid: Drop that glass right now!
Brandon: What are you doing?
Bridesmaid: Don't drink a single drop of that wine!
Before Brandon could even bring the crystal glass to his lips, my bridesmaid, Chloe, rushed across the stage and slapped the glass straight out of his hand. It flew through the air and hit the polished marble floor, shattering into dozens of sharp pieces as dark liquid splashed across his shoes. Brandon froze, his eyes wide with anger as the entire room fell completely silent.
Brandon: What the hell are you doing?!
Bride: Chloe, are you crazy?! You just ruined our wedding toast!
Bridesmaid: Don't touch him! That drink was poisoned!
Bride: You're lying! She's out of her mind, Brandon!
Bridesmaid: I'm not lying, and I can prove it right now!
Chloe raised her right hand and slapped me hard across the face. The sharp crack echoed through the venue, making several guests gasp in horror. I stumbled back, holding my burning cheek, while Brandon stood paralyzed between us. But before anyone could grab Chloe, she reached into her gray gown and pulled out her smartphone, pointing the screen directly at Brandon's face.
Bridesmaid: Look at the screen, Brandon! Look at what she did!
Brandon looked down at the video playing on the screen, and his face instantly turned pale. The footage was recorded just minutes earlier behind the bar, showing my hands dropping a white pill into his champagne glass, watching it dissolve completely into the bubbles. Brandon’s jaw dropped in absolute horror as he slowly looked up from the phone and stared straight into my eyes.
Brandon: Explain to me why I was supposed to die today.
Bride: Brandon, please let me explain before you listen to her!
I took a step backward, my heart pounding against my ribs, but the double doors of the ballroom were already being closed by security guards, trapping me inside with two hundred staring eyes.