That night, my mother-in-law hid a rattlesnake under my pillow after discovering my $25 million life insurance policy. She smiled at me and said, “Go get some rest, I made your bed.” I didn’t argue. I took a blanket and gave the bedroom to my husband. Hours later, her desperate scream woke up the entire house… but the real secret was only beginning to come out.

“Actually, I changed the sheets for you.”

“You should rest comfortably.”

I looked directly into her eyes.

“No.”

Her smile weakened.

“What?”

“I’ll sleep in the living room tonight.”

All color vanished from her face.

“What do you mean, the living room?”

I shrugged.

“Edgar said he was going drinking with coworkers.”

“When he comes home drunk, he snores terribly.”

“I’d rather let him have the bedroom.”

Kristina stared at me.

For several seconds, neither of us spoke.

Then she laughed.

Too quickly.

“Oh.”

“That seems silly.”

“Why?”

“You’re sick.”

“The bed is more comfortable.”

“I’ll survive.”

Her fingers tightened around the counter.

“But Edgar…”

“What about Edgar?”

Nothing.

She forced a smile.

“He’ll disturb your sleep downstairs.”

“He won’t.”

I picked up my glass.

Then I added.

“You made the bed so nicely.”

“He may as well enjoy it.”

Kristina looked toward the staircase.

Fear.

Real fear.

That was when I understood one thing.

She had intended that snake for me.

Not Edgar.

And she did not know how to remove it without exposing herself.

Good.

I walked into my office.

I locked the door.

Then I called my attorney.

Not the police.

Not yet.

My attorney.

Rachel Morgan answered.

“Nora?”

“I need you to listen carefully.”

“What happened?”

“There is a rattlesnake in my bed.”

Silence.

Then.