“Get it off my leg!” I shrieked, weeping so violently I was gasping for air. My dad assumed I was losing my grip on reality, and my stepmother smirked like she had already claimed victory.

Within minutes, the hospital room was swarming with doctors, nurses, and a very grim-looking hospital security guard.

Leo was immediately prepped for a heavy dose of broad-spectrum antibiotics and antivenom. As the medical team worked frantically to clean the necrotic bites, Arthur pulled Vanessa into the hallway. Clara stood just inside the doorway, listening.

"Explain this to me," Arthur demanded, his voice dangerously low. "Explain how an exotic, highly venomous insect gets inside my son's cast."

Vanessa burst into tears—perfect, glistening, tragic tears. "Arthur, you can't possibly think I had anything to do with this! I am his mother!"

"You are his stepmother," Arthur corrected, a harshness in his tone that made Vanessa flinch.

"It was the emergency clinic!" Vanessa pivoted effortlessly. "You remember, Arthur. We took him to that awful, run-down urgent care on the edge of town because it was the closest one when he fell. The facility was filthy! The doctor who casted him barely spoke English. They must have had an infestation!"

It was a brilliant lie. It was plausible enough to plant the seed of doubt. Arthur rubbed his temples, exhaustion warring with horror.

Clara stepped out into the hallway. "Excuse me, Mr. Sterling. The urgent care doctor didn't cast Leo's leg. Vanessa did."

Vanessa’s head snapped toward the nanny, pure venom in her eyes. "You lying little..."

"I checked Leo's medical file when I was hired," Clara continued calmly. "The urgent care only provided a temporary splint. The permanent fiberglass cast was applied two days later by a private concierge doctor. A doctor Mrs. Sterling hired directly to the house."

Arthur stared at Vanessa. "Is that true?"