Virginia commented: [You… you must have faked this screenshot!]
Madison added: [Tristan, you’ve crossed the line!]
As I was about to type, a notification appeared: [You have been removed from the ‘Loving Family’ group chat by the owner!]
I stared at my phone in shock for a few seconds, then laughed bitterly and threw it onto the bed.
A while later, my mom opened the door, eyes still red. “Tristan, your dad was just angry and didn’t want you to say anything wrong, so he removed you from the group chat… Don’t blame him.”
“Mom, I don’t blame Dad,” I said, shaking my head. “But I don’t think I did anything wrong, either.”
She sighed and sat beside my bed. “Actually… I remember everything you said. I haven’t forgotten.”
I asked, “Then why did you keep tolerating it?”
“It’s just a habit,” she said softly. “We always think it’s wrong for relatives to fight. It’s bad for them and for us.” She paused, then gently patted my hand. “Go to bed early.”
After my mom left, I picked up my phone and looked at the family group chat I could never rejoin, but I didn’t feel sad about it.
Instead, I felt a strange relief. Maybe this was part of growing up, seeing some people clearly, leaving others behind and moving forward freely toward your own life.
Outside my door, I heard my father pacing in the living room, his steps heavy and restless. This time, I didn’t go out to comfort him as I usually did. Some boundaries, once set, are hard to erase. Some truths, once said, are hard to take back.
The next few days were quiet. But I knew Virginia and Madison wouldn’t let it go easily, so I prepared in advance.
Sure enough, on the day I got my graduation certificate, a big group of relatives came to the door.
Virginia led the way, followed by Madison, my cousin, my older cousin and several distant uncles and aunts who liked to join in. The large group crowded into my living room, making the spacious room feel cramped.
My mother quickly went to pour tea, while my father stood in the middle of the room, his face showing clear unease and anxiety.
“Brother, sister-in-law,” Virginia spoke first, loudly as if the neighbors needed to hear. “We’re here just to demand an explanation! Look, this is my son from the Finance Bureau! His official employment notice just came out!”