Chapter 2

Yasmin was startled, and her knees gave way. Staring at me, she stammered, "D-Dear, why aren't you asleep?"

A thought came into mind, and I yawned. "I woke up to go to the bathroom. What are you doing in the terrarium, darling?"

Then I paused, as if I just noticed them being entangled inside. I shouted anxiously, "You're scared of pain! What if the snake bites you? Darling, come out now!"

The noise woke my parents up.

I quickly opened the door to call for help. "Is there anyone who can catch a snake? My wife has been bitten!"

The veins in Yasmin's forehead bulged. She flung the snake away and dashed forward to stop me. "Christopher Wood, are you crazy? I was just sleepwalking!"

I pretended to look relieved. "It's good that you're fine. I was terrified."

Yasmin held herself back and went back to the room furiously.

She had been scared when she was almost at the height of pleasure. I wondered if she could still relive the moment.

I stood next to the terrarium.

Having been interrupted, the snake flicked its tongue at me. It opened its mouth and spat venom on the glass as a warning. The liquids in the terrarium began to mix.

I frowned in disgust. I had been caring for the snake for three years, but it was simply heartless.

Animals would always be true to their nature.

…

The next morning, I brought some fruit baskets to apologize to my neighbors for disturbing them last night.

"My wife really loves my pet snake," I said. "She even needs to hold it to sleep. The snake leans on her back, as if she were its mother."

Strange expressions crept across my neighbors' faces.

I quickly explained, "I was just joking. She was sleepwalking and accidentally got into the terrarium. The sight terrified me."

Looking awkward, they exchanged glances. "It's good that she's fine."

"Not only is she fine, but she even seems more energetic!" I said.

While Yasmin was at work, I told my parents the truth. I confessed everything without hesitation.

Mom was so furious that color drained from her face. "What a bastard! How could she do something so disgusting?"

I comforted her and said, "Calm down. For now, we should get the assets notarized and make her return the house and car I bought!"

My parents' faces fell.

Yasmin was a property agent. She was honest and sincere before we got married. Moved by her, we bought about three properties under her company.

Yasmin had made a lot of money from that.

I paid for the houses and car, but they were registered under her name. I had to give her half of the assets even if we got a divorce.

At that thought, Dad pounded his chest in anger. "How ungrateful!"

I was a decisive person. After Yasmin got off work, I began talking about the pet snake.

"Darling, I see that you really dote on our snake. Mom went to a fortune teller today, and he said we have to send the snake away if we want a baby. If not, we'll have a hard time conceiving."

Yasmin's face darkened. "That's all just superstition! I don't believe in it!"

Mom came over and began playing the bad cop. "I didn't bother about the date you got married. But you have been having a hard time conceiving because of the snake! The snake needs to go!"

I spread my arms helplessly and sighed. "Well, I've put it up on the internet. If no one is adopting it, I'll have it euthanized."

"Euthanized?" Yasmin's lips trembled. "How much did you put it up for?"

I said calmly, "One million dollars."

Yasmin widened her eyes. "Are you out of your mind? How could a snake be worth one million dollars?"

"I've spent a lot on the snake all these years. I need to include those expenses," I replied. With a sigh, I added, "I've been taking care of it for so many years. If it dies, I'm gonna be sad for a long time. I have no choice. I really hope it can be our child in its next life."

Yasmin panicked. "That's bullshit!"

I wiped the corners of my eyes. "Darling, why are you overreacting?"

Yasmin's face paled, her eyes darting around. "There'll definitely be someone kind enough to adopt it."

With that, she dashed into the bedroom.

After a while, a message from an anonymous account popped up on my phone. "Hi, how much is this pet snake?"