Chapter 1

My mother-in-law was dying from a rare poison.

I was the only toxicology expert in the city who could save her.

Just as I was about to rush out the door, my husband, Xander, grabbed my arm.

"Today is the grand opening of Serena's Horror Manor," he snapped.

"You're supposed to be the 'pauper' jump-scare actor. Where do you think you're going?"

I looked him dead in the eye and told him we only had a thirty-minute window.

If I didn't get there now, his mother wouldn't make it.

Xander just rolled his eyes, looking completely disgusted.

"If your trash-picking mother dies, she dies. I'll burn some extra play money at her funeral."

He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a threat.

"But if you ruin Serena's big day, I'll ruin you."

Serena, his 'best friend,' giggled and draped herself over his shoulder.

"Maybe she's just desperate to go meet some secret lover," she mocked.

"Look at that long face. She looks more miserable than you do when you're actually trying in bed, Big Boy!"

I almost laughed at the sheer audacity of these two.

Xander actually thought the one dying in the hospital was my mother.