"I bought these just for you. Take them and come eat—everyone's waiting. It's the Lantern Festival! The whole family has to eat together."
In my past life, I hadn't wanted to upset anyone. I'd taken the antibiotics and followed her to dinner like an obedient fool.
When the family raised their glasses, I'd explained that I couldn't drink alcohol after taking medication.
Corinne had poured me a glass of "juice."
"Just toast with this instead."
I'd downed it without a second thought. And she'd smiled—that triumphant, venomous smile.
"I mixed half a glass of liquor into that. See? You're perfectly fine. You just wanted to snub our family and show us who's boss. Too bad—I don't let anyone get away with that."
Three days in the ICU. Stomach pumped. Clinging to life by a thread.
The memory made my whole body tremble with rage.
Corinne stared at me, her voice dripping with false concern.
"Take your medicine, Queenie. Unless... you're deliberately trying to avoid eating with us?"
Calvin shot me an impatient look.
"It's a holiday. Can you stop making everything difficult? What's the big deal about having dinner?"
I closed my fingers around the medicine box.
"I'll take it before bed. Let's go eat first."