The group chat immediately buzzed with excitement, as everyone offered to let my parents stay at their houses.
My parents, who were full of resentment just now, burst into laughter and didn't forget to tag me: [What did I say? Viola is more capable and more considerate and filial than you.]
I just felt extremely ironic when I look at these words.
With a flick of my finger, I left my family group chat and blocked all of my parents' and Viola's WhatsApp, phone numbers and social media.
I thought, after this farce, I could finally escape the shadow of my family of origin and live my own quiet life.
But I never expect, half a year later, an unfamiliar number would suddenly ring on my phone.
When I answered, it was my father's panicked voice.
“Isla, your mom ... she has lung cancer. She's in the hospital now. The doctor says she might not have much time left.”
“Can you come see her?"
Hanging up the phone, I sat in a daze for a long time.
Caleb urged me to go and see her.
In the hospital room, my parents seemed to have aged ten years overnight and no longer had the energy and spirit of the past.