Grandma’s words were gentle, but they hit me hard.
Ever since I was little, Dad has often gone on business trips. Whenever he was away, Grandpa and Grandma took Mom back to the countryside.
They didn’t come home until Dad’s trip was over, sometimes two weeks, sometimes a month, or even longer.
Those business trips were really just excuses for all of them to stay away from me.
Dad sat silently, staring at his phone.
On the screen was our chat.
[Hazel, Mom and Dad can’t come home tonight. Remember to lock the door.]
[Hazel, are you asleep?]
I didn’t reply. That had never happened before.
Any message from Dad, no matter what it was, no matter what I was doing, I always replied immediately.
Maybe Dad didn’t even realize it, but his hand was shaking as he held the phone. He stood up, walked to the balcony and called his secretary.
“Go to my house right now and check.”
“Is my daughter at home?”
As soon as the call ended, Mom appeared behind him.
“Who are you calling?”
“Was it that brat, Hazel?”
Dad quickly put his phone away and forced a smile. “It’s the secretary.”
“Didn’t you ask me to send her back to school soon? I told my secretary to handle it tomorrow. Don't overthink it.
After hearing Dad’s explanation, Mom looked much happier. "That's better."
Dad let out a relieved sigh and helped Mom to the sofa to sit. After a moment, his phone rang.
He answered, only to hear the secretary's trembling voice.
“Mr. Vargas, Miss Hazel… is dead.”
