Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 1639

"I understand why you did it," Elysia said, "but one lie always leads to another."

"I'll come clean once they're in a better mood," Winona replied.

"Okay."

When they returned to the room, Keaton was leaning over the side of the bed, dry-heaving. Janelle stood beside him, gently patting his back, her face etched with worry. "You can't even stand the smell of it? This reaction is way too strong."

Elysia walked over, greeted Janelle, and checked Keaton's pulse again. Still nothing abnormal.

"I'll write him a prescription for something to help with this later."

Janelle pointed to a bowl of dark liquid on the nightstand. "I went home this morning and got this remedy from a specialist, but he hasn't even taken a sip. Just smelling it makes him sick."

Elysia picked up the bowl and sniffed the bitter brew. "This is indeed for nausea. This will work for now. You need to just grit your teeth and drink it."

Keaton refused. "The smell alone makes me want to puke. If I drink it, it'll just come right back up! I'm not drinking it!"

"Even if you throw it up, some of the medicinal properties will remain in your system. It will help ease your symptoms," Elysia insisted.

Keaton scrunched his handsome face and shook his head. "No, no, I really don't want to."

Winona pursed her lips. "Do you want us to hold you down and force-feed it to you? Like you're a three-year-old?"

Keaton's eyes shot to Winona, a look of pure grievance on his face. "..."

Winona took the bowl from Elysia. "Elysia, step aside. We'll pour it down his throat. Janelle, you pinch his nose. Richard and Mr. Bradford, you hold down his arms and legs."

Keaton's eyes widened. "I'll drink it! Fine, I'll drink it!"

Elysia shook her head. "If you want it to be effective, it has to be bitter. If you're willing to drink it, I'll send a formula to Dr. Benjamin."

Before Keaton could answer, Winona said, "He'll drink the bitter medicine. It's better than throwing up all the time. You'll get too weak if you keep this up."

"Yes, make him drink the bitter medicine!" Janelle and Richard chimed in.

Elysia nodded and sent a prescription to Benjamin, asking him to have the pharmacy prepare the decoction for that evening.

With Keaton sorted, everyone sat down for lunch. Janelle had cooked herself, and the spread was impressive. Even though Winona had just eaten several pastries, she was now eating with gusto, plying Janelle with compliments as she ate. "This is so delicious! It's amazing! Janelle, you're such a fantastic cook!"

Janelle beamed, unable to hide her delight. "If you like it, eat more. If you want, I can cook for you again tonight. Here, try this, and this too."

While Winona happily devoured the delicious food, Keaton lay miserable in bed, miserably chewing on a lemon.