My lips curved slightly. In my previous life, when I was the one hospitalized, Calvin and his parents had urged me to let it go. Corinne didn't mean it. Don't make a fuss. Funny how the knife only hurts when it cuts your own flesh.
A vicious glint flashed in Corinne's eyes. Suddenly, she turned on me.
"Queenie—why did you make my brother take cephalosporin? You did this on purpose, didn't you? You wanted to hurt him!"
I laughed in disbelief. My voice went cold. "Corinne, how was I supposed to know you'd spike the drinks? Why would I want to hurt Calvin? He's my husband."
Even if, deep down, I wanted nothing more than to watch him die—I still had to keep up appearances.
Corinne's voice rose again, sharp with accusation. "Then why are you fine? You took cephalosporin too!"
My in-laws turned to look at me as well.
I placed a hand on my stomach, my expression a mixture of lingering fear and grievance.
"Dad, Mom, Calvin and I have been trying for a baby lately. I haven't had my period in a month, so I thought I might be pregnant. Pregnant women can't take cephalosporins, so I made myself throw up the medicine. Unless... you wanted something to happen to me and the baby too?"
The moment she heard this, my mother-in-law rushed to support me.
"Queenie, why didn't you say so? Sit down, quickly—you mustn't upset the baby. This could be our grandchild!"
I dabbed at nonexistent tears in the corners of my eyes.
"Mom, Dad... are you angry with me?"
My mother-in-law shook her head vigorously.
"Of course not! You did the right thing. That baby in your belly is the Swanson family's treasure. Of course we need to be careful."
The corner of my mouth curved slightly. Even if my in-laws wanted to blame me, they wouldn't dare say another word now that I might be pregnant.
In the end, they could only direct all their fury at Corinne.
It wasn't until Corinne borrowed from loan sharks to pay Calvin's surgery and hospital bills that my in-laws' expressions softened somewhat.
When Calvin woke up and saw Corinne crying and looking aggrieved, he sighed.
"Let it go. Corinne didn't mean to do it. Mom, Dad, don't blame her anymore."
My in-laws regarded Corinne coldly but said nothing more.
Three months later, Calvin was discharged from the hospital. Corinne approached me with an apologetic expression.