Edward started vomiting nonstop that night, and his speech became even more slurred.
Lucy was certain it was a detox reaction. She told him to drink more water so he could "flush out the toxins."
By the next morning, the whole house was filled with a strange, foul smell.
Edward was stripped down to just his underwear, and Kenneth and Lucy held him up as they tried to lower him back into the tub.
His crooked mouth dripped with saliva as he let out muffled, unclear groans. His weak arm pushed at Lucy, like he was trying to get away.
"What are you afraid of? Just get in! Once the medicine kicks in, you'll be fine!" she snapped, shoving his back.
He fell into the tub with a loud splash, and the herbal alcohol mixture splattered everywhere.
The snakes and scorpions had been soaking for a full day. They were even more agitated now, attacking him nonstop.
He struggled, trying to climb out.
"Hang in there! Today is the most important day!" Lucy said.
She and Kenneth pressed him down together so he couldn't move.
I stood there watching him struggle in pain. I thought back to how viciously he had shoved me down the stairs in my last life and felt nothing.
After Dylan became paralyzed, Edward turned his attention to me.
He would even walk into the bathroom while I was showering to use the toilet. When I told Lucy, she accused me of making it up and trying to seduce him. She beat me with a stick until my body was covered in wounds.
And even while confined to the bed, Dylan would curse me out as well.
I felt sorry for myself. In my last life, I had been so stupid. I tried to save a man who ended up killing me.
This time, that wouldn't happen again.
That afternoon, Charlotte came over with some fruit. As soon as she walked in, she was hit by a strong smell of alcohol mixed with something foul. Then she saw Edward sitting in the bath, his face turning bluish, and she was shocked.
"Edward, what happened to you? Why do you look so bad?"
"He's detoxing," Lucy said proudly. "One more day of soaking and acupuncture tomorrow, and he'll be completely fine."
Charlotte walked closer to the tub and looked at him carefully.
"Edward, how do you feel?"
Edward forced his eyes open. He tried to speak, but no sound came out. The right side of his body wouldn't move at all.
"This isn't right!" Charlotte grew anxious. "This doesn't look like facial paralysis. It looks like a stroke. He needs to go to the hospital right now."
"Nonsense!" Lucy shoved her aside. "What do you know? This is a family remedy passed down for generations. After yesterday's soak, his face already looks better."
I chimed in from the side. "Yeah, Charlotte. Lucy knows what she's doing. She's treated everyone in this family before. Just trust her. Besides, Edward's a lucky man. He'll be fine."
Charlotte looked at me in disbelief.
"Emily, how can you believe this too? You went to college. This could kill him."
"Kill him?" Lucy snapped before I could answer, glaring at Charlotte.
"I think you're the one trying to kill Edward. You don't want him to get better, so you keep coming here to stir trouble."
Charlotte couldn't believe what she was hearing, and tears filled her eyes.
"He's my brother!"
Lucy sneered. "So what? I know your whole family is eyeing his pension. I'm telling you, his money is mine. You won't get a single cent. You can drop that idea right now."
Charlotte looked at her, speechless. After a long pause, she left with red-rimmed eyes.
Kenneth walked over, rubbing his hands together.
"Mom, how much money is in Dad's account now?"
Lucy lifted her chin, looking pleased.
"At least 40,000 dollars."
