In a cozy bedroom adorned with family photos and a gentle ticking clock, a woman sat beside a young girl wrapped in a blanket, her face flushed with fever.

The woman gently touched the girl's forehead to check her fever. While the girl's fever had decreased significantly, she still needed to take her medicine. With a soft pat on the girl's head, the woman called out gently, "Bian, it's time to take this pill."

I hesitated after hearing this, feeling a knot of resistance form in my stomach. "Mom, I really don't want to take these pills." My voice was barely above a whisper.

"You have to take them to feel better." Mom's tone was comforting but firm.

However, I pleaded. "Can't I just have some syrup instead?"

"You're a big girl now, and your dad won't like it." Mom is trying to encourage me.

"Dad may just scold me." I mumbled, anticipating Dad's reaction.

"You still have a lot to learn about your dad. Here, I've cut them into smaller pieces for you." Mom is trying to make the pills more manageable.

But after seeing those small pieces, my face grimaced. "Ugh, it's going to taste even more bitter now."

"Enough complaining, Bian, and..."

During our conversation, the door creaked open, and someone entered the room.

I looked behind Mom to see who had come. It was Dad. "What's going on here?" he asked.

My face lit up at the sight of Dad, momentarily forgetting about the bitter pills. However, Mom's expression seemed slightly tense.

(Why is she making that face?)

"Nothing much, dear, but what brings you here?" Mom asked normally. Yet I found a hint of surprise in her voice.

"You said you were just going to give her the medicine." After saying that, Dad directed his attention to me.

Mom starts talking after seeing Dad coming closer to me. "I was just about to..."

However, Dad didn't let Mom finish and started taking charge. "Is she again giving you a hard time about taking pills?"

I could tell Dad was angry. As I grew older, Dad's attitude towards me changed. Now he scolds me more frequently. Sometimes I wish I could turn back small again, but that is just a wishful thought of mine.

"Don't worry, she'll take it eventually." Mom said.

Dad looked at me, his expression stern, then turned to Mom.

"Give me the pills. I'll feed her."

Mom's face contorted with worry. I still don't understand why she is making her face like that.

"It's okay, I'll..."

Dad again interrupted. "Give it to me."

Mom didn't say anything, just handed Dad the pills.

After examining the pills, Dad frowned and said in a sharp voice. "Why are they cut into tiny pieces?"

".....So she could swallow them easily," Mom hesitated for a moment then replied with an anxious voice.

Dad's cold gaze locked onto me. "But she still didn't."

Dad discarded the small pills and grabbed a new one, stepping closer. A shiver ran down my spine. I knew I couldn't protest like I did with Mom. The fear of disappointing him numbs me. The thought of Dad scolding me made my stomach churn, a wave of nausea washing over me.

He starts talking as soon as he comes in front of me, "Open your mouth and take it in. Then take a mouthful of water to swallow it."

"I tried, but couldn't swallow it."

"Then put a mouthful of water in your mouth and open your mouth. I'll put this pill in your mouth." He is determined to feed me the pill. 

I looked at Mom. She just closed her eyes. Mom attempted both ways to feed me the pills, but I still couldn't do it. A sense of helplessness crept over me, unable to tell him anything as I did with Mom. Reluctantly, I followed his instructions, only to throw out the pill from my mouth once more.

Dad remained stoic. He retrieved the same pill and repeated the process. As the bitterness intensified, the urge to retch grew stronger. I fought against it and tried once more to swallow the pill, but my body betrayed me, expelling the pill once again.

Undeterred, Dad continued with his actions.

As he urged, "Open your mouth." I hesitated, the taste lingering on my tongue.

"Dad, it's too bitter." I managed to say this.

"You wouldn't taste it if you could just swallow it." his voice stern and unwavering.

"Can't I take syrup instead?" I pleaded, desperation creeping into my tone.

"No, you'll take this." he insisted firmly, his resolve unyielding.

I know I can't swallow the pill, but I'm afraid to tell him. Reluctantly, I placed the bitter pill in my mouth, each second intensifying the urge to spit it out. I couldn't bear it any longer, so I expelled it forcefully.

**Blech**

Before I could even lift my head, a sudden sharp pain struck the back of my head, making me fall down from my bed. Confusion clouded my mind as the room spun around me. Tears blurred my vision and a loud noise buzzed in my ears.

(Is my fever getting worse?)

Struggling to focus, I tried to take a glance at my parents. Mom was trying to pull Dad away, urgently saying something. Dad shoved Mom aside and came towards me.

"I'm scared," I managed to whisper, but his slap silenced me, knocking me to the ground.