A Cup of Expired Medicine Killed a Family

That day, when my father, Hoyt, developed a high fever, my grandmother, Haley, retrieved an eight-year expired fever-reducing medicine from the cupboard.

When I saw this, I poured the medicine down the drain.

When Haley discovered what I did, she angrily slapped and scolded me for being wasteful.

When my mother, Jane, returned and learned of my actions, she reprimanded me for not caring for Hoyt and punished me.

Later, to fund my brother Jake's wedding, my parents decided to marry me off to a local bachelor, Lawson, for money.

As a result, I ended up dying in Lawson's pigsty, my body in terrible condition.

When I woke again, I realized I had returned to the day Hoyt had a fever.

This time, I chose to watch as Hoyt took the expired medicine.

I was reborn on the day Hoyt had a fever.

At this time, Haley retrieved the eight-year expired packet of fever medicine and muttered, "Take this medicine and you'll be fine."

Her words jolted me from my rebirth trance.

I checked myself, relieved to find I was unharmed and not buried in pig dung.

Haley called Jake to pass the medicine to Hoyt.

She tried to use the moment to get him to eat expired candy.

But my five-year-old brother was too busy playing with the thermometer in Hoyt's room to pay attention.

Frustrated, Haley turned to me and ordered, "Lena, quickly deliver the medicine to your father."

I set down my work and carefully picked up the medicine.

I was afraid that if I spilled a little, the medicine wouldn't be effective enough.

When I reached Hoyt, he lay still, waiting for me to bring the medicine to his lips.

After he drank it, I quietly left.

Jake had already wandered off to play.

After I delivered the medicine, Haley instructed me to serve the food.

While setting the table, I noticed Jake playing with the thermometer, even inserting it into the dishes.

I noted this and continued serving.

When Jane returned, she checked on Hoyt and loudly instructed me to save some dishes for him, saying he needed more nourishment.

I did my best to set aside some dishes for him from the limited offerings.

At this moment, I accidentally found the broken thermometer head among the food.

Without drawing attention, I hid it at the bottom of the dish.

As the dish was heated and the family began to eat, Haley served the only meat dish to Jake, insisting he eat it.

Though I longed for a bite, I ultimately avoided it due to its "special ingredients."

Jake ate most of the meat dish.

The remaining was shared by Haley and Jane.

I ate quietly, nibbling on two slices of green vegetables by the door.

Jane remarked surprisedly, "What's with this girl today?"

Haley replied indifferently, "Maybe she's learned her place. It's wasteful to give her good food. She doesn't deserve it."

Jane nodded in agreement. "She shouldn't eat it. Let our Jake have it all. Look how obedient he is, eating so much meat. He'll grow up healthy."

She smiled while stroking Jake's plump face.

After hearing this, Jake ate even more.

I glanced at Jake, but Jane caught me and scolded me for trying to take his food, saying I lacked upbringing and humility.

I bowed my head, thinking differently.

I didn't mind if he ate more.

I wanted him to eat even more.