Catastrophe

“He’s going to lose.” “What is he thinking? Wagering his own wife? The man is insane.” “No, look at him. He’s doing it on purpose.” Ethan set down his wager, and a collective gasp filled the room at the sheer audacity of the stakes. The dealer slid two cards toward him. Ethan’s brow furrowed as he scrutinized them, his expression unreadable. My vision was a blurred mess of tears. I didn’t even try to fight the guards anymore. I simply leaned into the crushing reality that I was nothing more than a chip in his game. Judging by the unsatisfying scowls and the rising tension, it looked like he was failing. “YES!” Alejandro thrust a fist into the air, sweat glistening on his forehead. His eyes dilated. I lowered my head, watching my tears splash onto the floor. The audience erupted into a chaotic symphony of applause and rustling as they swarmed toward Alejandro’s side of the table. I let out a sharp, bitter laugh to myself. Were all his words just a beautiful secretion