Chapter 13
257words
In the next room, Steven grinned at his camera, fans' cheers blasting through his headphones.
Linda had volunteered to care for Margaret—why waste money on a hospital for the crazy old bat? Leaving her in Linda's hands seemed the perfect solution.
Linda glided into Margaret's room with a glass of water, her smile picture-perfect.
She deliberately set the glass just beyond reach. The "medicine" she'd been administering had gradually paralyzed Margaret until only her head could move.
"Just call if you need anything, dear mother-in-law," Linda chirped before turning to leave.
When neighbors visited, Linda performed the role of devoted caretaker, earning universal admiration.
"Such a devoted daughter-in-law," visitors would comment while Margaret screamed silently with her eyes.
Every morning at precisely 8 AM, Linda would bring a steaming bowl of thick soup with herbs floating on top.
As Linda lifted each spoonful, tiny writhing forms could be glimpsed beneath the surface.
Margaret watched in horror but could only swallow as Linda held the spoon to her lips, smiling sweetly.
Steven occasionally visited, but only to showcase his "devotion" on livestream before hurrying back to his own affairs.
Two months later, Margaret's body had become an incubator, her internal organs slowly being consumed by the parasites.
Linda stood by the bedside, admiring her handiwork.
Margaret's body remained alive, but her mind had shattered under the weight of unending torment.
