The cold sweat dripped down Chloe’s spine as she stood frozen outside the master bedroom door, her hand clutching her mouth so tightly her knuckles turned white[cite: 1]. Through the tiny crack in the doorframe, she watched her mother-in-law, Evelyn, pull a pair of thick yellow rubber gloves onto her hands[cite: 1]. Evelyn reached into a heavy black canvas bag, her face twisted into a cold, terrifying smile[cite: 1]. Out came a massive, deadly venomous snake, its scales glinting under the chandelier light as it squirmed in Evelyn’s gloved hands[cite: 1]. Chloe’s breath hitched in her throat, her heart hammering wildly against her ribs as she backed away an inch, petrified[cite: 1].
Evelyn: When you die tonight, my son can finally start over with the twenty-five million dollars Edgar and Heather deserve[cite: 1].
Evelyn carefully laid the deadly creature onto the plush luxury bed, right under the crisp white satin sheets[cite: 1]. The snake slithered quickly beneath the soft fabric, its body creating a terrifying bulge under the duvet[cite: 1]. Evelyn pulled the blanket up neatly, smoothing out every single wrinkle with her yellow gloves until the bed looked completely undisturbed[cite: 1]. She patted the pillow with a sinister grin, completely unaware that Chloe had seen every single second of her twisted plot[cite: 1]. Chloe’s pink feather dress rustled softly as she took a quick step back, her eyes wide with pure horror as tears rolled down her cheeks[cite: 1].
Chloe: No... no, this can't be happening[cite: 1]...
Chloe forced her gasp down, slapping her own hand over her mouth as a terrifying realization washed over her[cite: 1]. Evelyn turned toward the bedroom door, her gloves coming off with a sharp snap[cite: 1]. Chloe took three quick, silent steps back down the carpeted hallway, her mind racing at a hundred miles an hour[cite: 1]. She couldn't scream, she couldn't run, and she couldn't let Evelyn know she had seen the trap[cite: 1]. The door handle turned, and Evelyn stepped out into the hall, a sweet, fake smile instantly plastered across her face[cite: 1].
Evelyn: Oh, Chloe! There you are, sweetheart[cite: 1]. You look so pale[cite: 1]. Why don't you go lie down[cite: 1]? I just changed the sheets on the master bed for you[cite: 1].
Chloe: Oh... thank you, Evelyn[cite: 1]. That was so sweet of you[cite: 1].
Evelyn: You work so hard around this house[cite: 1]. You deserve a long, deep sleep tonight[cite: 1]. Go on, lie down right now[cite: 1].
Chloe: Actually... I was thinking[cite: 1]. Edgar has had such a stressful week at the office[cite: 1].
Evelyn: What do you mean, dear[cite: 1]?
Chloe: Edgar should take the master bedroom tonight[cite: 1]. I'll just sleep downstairs in the guest room[cite: 1].
Evelyn’s fake smile froze instantly, her eyes widening in sudden, violent panic as heavy footsteps echoed from the top of the staircase[cite: 1]. Edgar walked up into the dimly lit hall, loosening his silk tie with an exhausted sigh, oblivious to the deadly trap waiting inside his room[cite: 1].