Chapter 1 - The Thorn in the Silk
The thorn of a single red rose snagged against the pristine, off-shoulder sleeve of the white gown.
RIP.
A tiny thread of white silk snapped, coiling back against the sleek fabric like a broken spring.
Elena, sixty-eight years old, stood frozen on the white marble aisle, her hands trembling violently around the bouquet of red roses.
Her short silver hair shimmered under the grand chandeliers of the vaulted wedding hall.
A single pearl earring swayed against her neck as tears pooled in the deep folds beneath her eyes.
Before she could pull the bouquet back, the bride's hand flew across the space between them.
SLAP.
The dry, sharp crack bounced off the marble floorboards and echoed up toward the arched ceiling.
Elena’s head snapped sideways, her fingers loosening around the green stems.
Three red petals tore free, fluttering down through the air like drops of fresh blood.
The bride, twenty-six-year-old Valeria, leaned forward, her sleek hair updo tight, her eyes burning with raw fury.
Valeria jabbed a manicured index finger straight at the old woman's pale face.
"¡Inútil! ¡Manchaste mi vestido de seda!" Valeria shrieked, her voice slicing through the heavy air.
"Useless! You ruined my silk dress!"
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Elena’s left hand flew up to clutch her burning cheek, her small frame swaying as if struck by a gust of wind.
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