They Have a Family Group Chat, I’m Not in It Chapter 08
When I got to the hospital, Mom was lying in bed with an IV in her arm.
She had grown much thinner, her face sallow with dark heavy circles under her eyes.
The moment she saw me, she froze. “Hazel…”
I said flatly, “How are you feeling?”
She started crying. “I’m so sorry, my child. I truly know I was wrong.”
Dad sat nearby with his head down. He didn’t say anything.
Mateo was there too. He huddled in the corner and wouldn’t look at me.
“The doctors said it’s nothing too serious. They want to keep her for observation for a few days, then she can go home.”
I nodded. “Got it.”
Then I turned to leave.
Mom suddenly called out, “Hazel!”
I halted in my tracks but didn’t turn back.
“Please come home and stay with us. I’ll cook all your favorite dishes, and I’ll listen to everything you say.”
I gripped the straps of my backpack and took a deep breath. “I’m doing fine out there. I have a steady job and a place to live. Don’t worry about me.”
“But I miss you so much!”
I said nothing more and walked straight out of the ward.
Mateo ran after me. “Hazel, please come back. Mom and Dad both miss you.”
I laughed coldly. “Miss me? Or miss having me around to be the ‘understanding’ daughter?”
He opened his mouth, but nothing came out.
Stepping out of the hospital gate, the bright sunlight stung my eyes.
My phone buzzed. It was a message from Jenna: [Another big order just came in. When are you coming back?]
I replied: [Tomorrow.]
That night at my hotel, the doorbell rang.
I opened the door. My parents were standing outside. Their eyes were red and swollen.
“Hazel, can we come in for a bit?”
I didn’t say anything. I stepped aside and let them in.
They set down some fruit and were quiet for a long time.
“Nova left.”
I didn’t respond.
Mom looked up at me. Her eyes were wet again. “Hazel, I know you still hold a grudge deep down. I want you to know, I have never stopped loving you all these years…”
I cut her off. “What’s the point of saying any of this now?”
She cried even harder. “I’m so sorry, my dear. I truly am sorry for everything…”
I looked at her calmly, feeling neither sorrow nor relief in my heart.
She cried for a long time. Finally, she looked up and asked me, “Hazel, can you forgive me?”
I thought about it. “I don’t know. Maybe someday. But not right now.”
“All I want now is to live my own life well. I no longer wish to be treated like an outsider, nor be used as the sensible child who always sacrifices herself.”
Mom nodded and wiped her tears. “I’ll wait for you. I’ll change for good.”
I didn’t answer.
The next morning, I went to the airport.
As the plane took off, I looked out the window again.
The city below the clouds was getting smaller and smaller.
I felt no trace of reluctance, only pure ease and freedom.