Chapter 4

"She took seven hundred thousand dollars in demolition compensation and is now running some big business. She can definitely hire the best doctors and provide you the biggest house."

Viola couldn't hold back her frustration and her tone grew impatient. "Isla, you're not being fair. Ronan and I are busy making big money, we don't have time to take Dad to the doctor!"

"I don't care. I've already brought Mom and Dad here. You can handle it yourself!"

With that, ignoring the embarrassment and astonishment on her parents' faces, she turned and left.

I didn't look at my parents, who were standing helplessly at the door and said to my husband, "Let's go inside. Let's not let unrelated people spoil the fun."

The moment I turned around, I could feel the venomous glares from my parents behind me.

Sure enough, it wasn't long before the family group chat exploded.

Isabel was crying and yelling at me in the group chat.

[Isla, that unfilial, heartless daughter! Her dad and I have nowhere to live and she won't even give us a room! She kicked us out!]

[Her mother-in-law is an outsider, but she treats her like a treasure and disregards her own parents. We've wasted our time raising her!]

Several uninformed relatives then chimed in.

[How could you do this, Isla? They're still your parents. It's your duty to be filial!]

[That's right, no matter how hard things are, you can't abandon your parents! It's so inconsiderate!]

[Hurry up and bring your parents home right now, don't let people laugh at you!]

I bluntly told them they had given the entire seven hundred thousand dollars in demolished compensation to Viola, yet still expected me to serve them.

I couldn't be that saintly.

The group fell silent for a few seconds and then my uncle, Dieter Reinhart, came out to mediate.

[Isla, you can't say that. They are your own parents and money is just an external asset. Be generous.]

My aunt and other female relatives chimed in too, telling me not to hold a grudge—we were family, after all. Blood was thicker than water.

I sneered and replied: [Since they gave all the money to Viola, they should go find her. From now on, I have nothing to do with this family!]

"Anyone who thinks I should be filial should first give me half of that seven hundred thousand dollars demolition compensation for my parents. Otherwise, stop talking nonsense!]

Just then, Viola suddenly posted several pictures of the villa being renovated in the group chat.

[It's not that I don't take care of my parents. The villa for their retirement is being renovated. I am doing big business with my husband and will soon bring them over to enjoy themselves.]

[Who knew my sister would be so heartless? She couldn't even wait a few months! Not only did she slander me, but she also turned our parents away. It's outrageous!]

The group chat immediately erupted with compliments.

[Viola is really something!]

[Isabel is so lucky to have raised such a capable daughter!]

[Isla, you should learn from your sister and stop focusing on such short-term gains.]

Puffed up by the flattery, Viola continued to proudly say: [If anyone's willing to take my parents in, I'll talk to my husband, Ronan and we'll get rich together.]

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.