***ten minutes before the wedding***

My hands try to wipe the rusty red blood off of my wedding dress, but to no avail. Frantically gazing around the dressing room for a towel, water, anything to help. There’s nothing. I’m just going to have to ditch the dress.

I step over my now ex-fiancé’s dead body, blood spilling from his throat, heading to look out the window for an escape route. Maybe I can jump down, even though we’re on the third floor of this venue. I have to at least try—

A sudden knock came at the door. “Shelly?? Are you in there? It’s almost time to get in our places! What’s going on?!” Veronica, my maid of honor’s voice called, her words thick with worry.

Shit. Shit. _Shit_.

My heart told me I could trust her. She’s been my best friend since kindergarten. But my gut said to run. _Get out of here while you still can._

__

I found myself instead, unlocking the door and letting Veronica in.

As she stepped over the threshold, high heels clicking on the wooden floor, she dropped the glass of champagne she was holding and screamed.

“SHHHHH, SHHHH!!!” My bloody hand clamped over her mouth and pushed her further into the room, shutting and locking the door behind me.

“It’s not what it looks like I promise. I can explain everything” I assured her, my eyes meeting hers, pleading for understanding.

“Girl, if you don’t _be quiet_ and help me hide this body” she replied. Smirking at me like I was acting ridiculous for thinking she wouldn’t have my back.

***six hours before the ceremony***

“Where’s Nik?” I asked Veronica. “We’re supposed to do our first look soon. I can’t find him.”

“I think Amber went to help him with his tie. I told him he should have watched a YouTube video _BEFORE_ the day of your guy’s wedding. _Ugh_, men.” She said, rolling her eyes. “They just don’t listen.”

I thought it was odd Amber would be the one to offer to help. She usually does her best to get out of volunterring her help at events, preferring to find the nearest alcoholic drink instead.

“I’ll keep trying to find him” I replied, already turning towards the men’s dressing room. I can’t afford anything to go wrong today, we’ve spent way too much money on this wedding. I _need_ it to be perfect.

As I rounded the corner, and walked into Nik’s room, I found it empty. His maroon tie laying on the bed. That’s weird. I thought Veronica said he was trying to put it on?

I left the dressing room, clutching his tie in my hand, determined to find Nick and let him have a piece of my mind for derailing the intenary we’ve had planned for over a year now. As I made my way down the hallway, I heard soft moaning coming from the guest restroom. My mind immediately went to Amber and her plus one. She would so be the type to get it on at somebody else’s wedding.

“Amber, come on, do you know where Nik is?! We’re doing our first look in literally five minutes! Veronica said you were helping him!” I called, banging on the restroom door. My temper rising, she was supposed to be HELPING with the wedding. Not screwing the random date she just _HAD_ to bring.

The door swung open and Amber stood with her lipstick smeared and her bridesmaid’s dress hiked up around her thigh. She was trying her best to smooth over her dress and appearance but utterly failing.

“Amber, I don’t really care if you’re screwing your date. But not right _now_. I need your help finding Nic—“

I heard a shuffle in the room behind her and Nik fell out from hiding behind the door, trying to pull his pants up.

My world completely shattered in one split second.

***one hour before the wedding***

“I’m so so sorry, Shelly. It’s not what it looks like, I promise! I was just trying to help him with his tie.” She stammered.

“Oh, thats funny you say that. Do you mean this tie?” I asked, holding up the piece of fabric in my hand.

Amber’s face flushed, turning a flaming red “Uh—that’s—um..”

“_Get_. _Out_.” I hissed. Tears beginning to form in my eyes. I refuse to let her see me this way on my _WEDDING_ day. “Just get _out_, Amber”

She opened her mouth again, as if to reply. Then closed it, deciding not to, and ran from the room. Heading towards the open bar.

“Shelly, I swear,” Nik said hesitantly. “She was just making sure I looked perfect for our first look. I wanted it to be perfect for _you_. It’s really not like _that_.”

Rage filling my every thought, I stepped into the room and closed the door behind us. I caught Nik glancing over, wide-eyed, as my hand turned the lock.

“Don’t worry, Nik. I just want to make sure you’re _perfect_ for our first look” I replied smiling, grabbing ahold of the straight razor off of the vanity. All of the love, affection, and devotion for this man instantly leaving my body “Try not to move or struggle too much. I promise I’ll be quick.”