For Riches and Ruin

rk as a nightclub hostess whose company was for

't by choice; it was out of desperatio

ng lights of the nightclub, catering to customers, and living for the next paycheck. When age

lked this road before me, their st

lthy man, a true "golden ticket," and in a blink, I

up. Truth be told, sometimes I thought so too. But i

the verge of stepping into a dream life-living in a mansion, indulging in fine dining, free from

ing, many brides spend time with t

ble-my mother had passed away, le

ancé, invited me to stay at his

e now-empty house I onc

ome way, my mother would watch over me f

ght before the wedding when an une

n her for two years while working at the nightclub. During that time, we had been cl

tclub days to the wedding, so why ha

at's red lips curved slightly as she spo

s death was c

over me. My legs nearly buckled, unable

d smile. She leaned close to my ear and began whispering

.

, the wedding pro

ns of a classical piece filling the space,

wn, clutching a bouquet of roses that s

ltar. Above, a large screen displayed a live bro

n't help but lift my

aisle toward the altar, with E

air of refinement and warmth. His gaze was kind, tender

into the bouquet and drew out a gleaming, razor-sharp kni

e wound, staining the

sheer horror, disbelief

ndra,

knife with both hands, slashing wildly in his

imson spray, each splatter blooming like