For precisely three seconds, her hand hovered above my champagne glass. Everything changed in three seconds. My new mother-in-law had just slipped something into the crystal flute, which was waiting on the head table for the toast and for me to raise it to my lips and sip it.
There was hardly any evidence of the tiny white tablet in the golden bubbles when it quickly dissolved. Caroline was unaware that I was observing. She mistook me for being in the middle of my wedding day, laughing with my bridesmaids across the reception hall. She believed she was by herself. She believed she was secure.
However,
I had already switched by the time Caroline was back in her seat, putting on her mother-of-the-groom smile and smoothing down her pricey silk dress. I now had my glass in front of her chair. The spotless glass was waiting for me.
Caroline was the first to raise her glass.
Her grin, that flawless, rehearsed smile that deceived everyone but me, was glistening with diamonds in the chandelier light. The band began a gentle jazz song, the guests chuckled, and the photographer took a quick picture.
“To family,” she whispered in a faint, beautiful voice.
Everybody raised their glasses.
I repeated, “To family,” my heart pounding so loudly I could hear it in my ears.
We looked at each other across the head table. Her smile was somewhat too expectant, and her eyes were a bit too brilliant.
Then—she
A slow, thoughtful gulp.
I observed the movement of her throat and the bubbles that passed by her painted lips. All of my instincts told me that this couldn’t be real.
However, it was.
And I realized that something irrevocable had just started as her glass clicked gently against the tablecloth.
An Hour later,
With laughing, clinking cutlery, the aroma of roasted duck, and the scent of champagne perfume, the event continued to roar. Ethan, my husband, was dancing with his groomsmen, his cheeks flushed with joy.
When he glanced in my direction, I grinned. I even gave a wave.
But I was falling apart on the inside.
I glanced at Caroline every few minutes. Sitting next to her husband, she smiled too broadly and occasionally touched her temple as if something were upsetting her.
I initially believed it to be guilt.
Then I noticed that her face was losing color.
Her diamond bracelet slipped down her wrist as she blinked quickly once, twice, and then clutched the table’s edge.
She was experiencing something.
Whatever it was she had put in my champagne… Her veins were suddenly filled with it.
My stomach turned over.
God, please.
What if she didn’t intend to murder me? What if it was something entirely different, such as something that would make me feel ill or ashamed?
A gentle thud interrupted my thoughts.
Caroline pushed back her chair. Once, twice, she swayed before collapsing, her head striking the floor with a dull crack that broke the melody.
There were screams.
The band broke up. The crowd erupted.
“Mom!” Ethan yelled and fell to his knees next to her.
A doctor was called in. An ambulance was summoned by another person.
With the glass still cold in my palm, I stood motionless.
After two hours, the reception area was deserted. The lights went down. Outside, sparks of red and blue pulsed against the marble walls.
They had brought Caroline to the hospital. She had brought Ethan along. I remained, surrounded by withering flowers and half-eaten cake.
The planner mentioned delaying our honeymoon in a whisper. Absently, I nodded.
It buzzed on my phone. The screen brightened with Ethan’s name.
My hands trembled as I replied. “How is she doing?”
He gave a shaky breath. “They’re conducting tests.” She’s awake but disoriented. Her blood pressure abruptly dropped, according to the doctors, who believe it may have been an allergic reaction.
allergic. My heartbeat accelerated.
“She will be alright,” he hastily added. “Just to keep an eye on her, they’re keeping her overnight.”
I couldn’t decide whether I should feel anxiety or relief.
Since there would be inquiries now.
Caroline, too? She would know the answers.
The Morning After
Caroline was sitting up in bed, aware but pale, by the time Ethan and I arrived at the hospital.
Her gaze instantly met mine. There was a spark of something frigid and harsh about them.
Her voice was soft and overly sweet when she said, “Oh, darling.” “What a terrifying evening.”
I gave a small smile. “I’m happy you’re feeling better.”
She responded, “Me too,” and then her lips slightly curled. “Even though it’s humorous, I still don’t fully understand how that happened.”
Ethan put down the white lily arrangement and remarked, “Perhaps you should get some rest.”
“I will,” she whispered. However, I would really like to talk to your wife alone before you leave. Only for a second.
After hesitating, Ethan planted a kiss on her forehead. “Please don’t exert yourself too much.”
The air in the room became tight and thick when he left.
Caroline slowly turned her head in my direction. She lost the sweetness in her face.
She remarked, “You switched the glasses.”
I didn’t respond.
Her mouth quirked. “You believe I’m ignorant? The lipstick mark wasn’t mine, I realized. You are a cunning little creature.
My throat became parched. “What did you add to my beverage?”
She gave a small smile. “Don’t you want to know?”
