Chapter 2 - The Vipers Return
The front door unlocked at exactly 6:45 PM. I was in the kitchen, deliberately dressed in my travel clothes, looking disheveled. I had rubbed my eyes to make them look red and frantic.
“Clara? Babe, I’m home!” Marcus called out, dropping his leather duffel bag in the foyer. Sylvia was right behind him, carrying a designer shopping bag.
I rushed into the hallway, forcing my voice to tremble. “Marcus! Thank God you’re back. It’s Eleanor. She’s… she’s in a terrible state. I found her locked in the guest room, she looks so weak!”
Marcus immediately slipped on his mask of concern. He pulled me into a hug. I held my breath to keep from pulling away in absolute disgust.
“I told you, sweetheart,” Marcus sighed, kissing the top of my head. “Her dementia has gotten so much worse this week. I had to put the chair against the door because she kept wandering the halls at night trying to leave the house. I didn't want to worry you while you were presenting in Seattle.”
Sylvia clicked her tongue, walking into the kitchen and pouring herself a glass of wine. “It’s been an absolute nightmare, Clara. The poor thing is completely losing her mind. We’re going to have to talk about a full-time care facility. Or hospice.”
Hospice. The word hung in the air like a death sentence. They were planning to kill her.
“I’ll go check on her,” Marcus said, heading down the hall.
I followed closely behind. Marcus pushed the heavy armchair aside and opened the door. Eleanor lay perfectly still, her breathing shallow, her eyes closed. She played the part flawlessly.
Marcus picked up the glass of drugged water from the nightstand, swirling it slightly. “See? She won’t even drink. Her body is shutting down.”
“We should call a doctor,” I pleaded, playing the desperate wife.
“No,” Sylvia interjected sharply from the doorway. “The doctor said this is a natural decline. We just need to keep her comfortable. Don't cause a scene, Clara. You’re stressed from your trip. Go take a shower. We’ll handle the old woman.”
May you like
I nodded meekly, keeping my eyes glued to the floor. “Okay. Thank you. I don't know what I'd do without you two.”
As I walked away, I caught Marcus and Sylvia exchanging a quick, triumphant smirk. They thought I was completely blind. They thought the trap had snapped shut on me.
