Chapter 7: Needles and Confessions

I took them to a familiar clinic and asked the old doctor for a few specific tests.

The waiting room smelled of antiseptic and old magazines. The doctor looked at me over his glasses, puzzled by my request.

The doctor was surprised. “These are usually for paralyzed patients to stimulate the nerves.”

He raised an eyebrow, glancing from me to my sister-in-law. I just smiled, playing the dutiful son.

I smiled. Of course I knew—they’d made me suffer through this in my last life. Now it was their turn.

I could almost taste the irony, sweet and sharp. I leaned in, lowering my voice conspiratorially.

I waved my hand. “These treatments won’t do any harm, and they’re expensive, so they must be good. Doctor, no need to persuade me. I make good money for this family.”

I flashed my credit card, making sure everyone saw. If money was what they wanted, I’d give them a show.

At the mention of money, even my sister-in-law’s eyes lit up, along with Mom and my brother.

They perked up, greed flickering in their eyes. For a moment, they forgot to be afraid.

“I’ll do it, I’ll do it. Doctor, what’s the holdup—are you not confident?”

She pouted, trying to look brave. The doctor just sighed, resigned to the madness.

The old doctor had no choice but to agree, frowning.

He gathered his tools, muttering under his breath. I could tell he thought we were all crazy.

When he pulled out the long needles, my sister-in-law got scared.

Her eyes went wide, hands shaking. She looked at me, pleading silently for a way out.

“Maybe… let’s not.”

Her voice was barely a whisper. But Mom was already waving her off.

“I’ve already paid, and these needles are great for improving circulation. The more the better—it’s for the health of my little nephew!”

I made sure to sound earnest, even a little excited. Mom and my brother nodded, egging the doctor on.

Mom and my brother chimed in, “Do it! Use more needles!”

They crowded around, eager to see results. The doctor just shook his head, rolling up his sleeves.

One by one, the long needles pierced her body. She squeezed her eyes shut and howled like a stuck pig.

The sound echoed down the hallway, drawing curious glances from the nurses. I leaned back, arms crossed, enjoying the show.

The doctor couldn’t help but say, “If her legs aren’t paralyzed, these treatments really aren’t necessary.”

He looked at me, eyebrows raised. I just shrugged, feigning ignorance.

“Shut up! Just do it for my daughter-in-law. Keep arguing and we’ll report you to the medical board!” Mom was all about her grandchild’s health—she didn’t care about her daughter-in-law’s suffering, especially since she wasn’t paying.

She glared at the doctor, daring him to refuse. He just sighed and kept going, hands steady.

As the needles went in, my sister-in-law struggled and screamed on the bed.

She thrashed, tears streaming down her face. Mom and my brother held her down, faces set and determined.

Mom and my brother exchanged a look, then stepped up to hold her down like she was a farm animal about to get branded.

The image was almost comical, if it weren’t so tragic. I wondered if they’d remember this the next time they tried to accuse me of something.

She wailed helplessly:

Her cries grew louder, echoing off the sterile walls. She begged for mercy, but none came.

“My legs are fine! I made it all up! No one touched me, please, let me go!”

She sobbed, voice cracking. The truth spilled out, but nobody seemed to care.

My brother’s face was grim. “You’re just talking nonsense because of the pain. If AJ believes you, how’s he supposed to face you after this?”

He looked at me, eyes pleading. I just stared back, unblinking.

He looked up at me, about to explain, but I shook my head:

I held up a hand, stopping him. "Don’t worry, bro. We’re family. I trust you all."

I smiled, letting the sarcasm drip from every word. He relaxed, thinking he’d won.

He nodded in satisfaction. “That’s more like it. You’re really my brother. I gave up my job years ago to take care of the family—you’d better appreciate it.”

He puffed up, pride shining in his eyes. I bit back a laugh, waiting for my moment.

I was wondering what to say next, but he handed me the perfect setup.

He always did have a knack for walking into his own traps. I decided to make the most of it.

I immediately put on a touched expression:

I let my eyes go wide, voice trembling with fake emotion. "Mom and bro, you two have worked so hard all these years. Why don’t you both try these treatments too?"

Their smiles froze on their faces.

For the first time, they looked afraid. I held their gaze, daring them to refuse. The tables had finally turned, and I wasn’t about to let them forget it.