After A Trip to Save Lives, Our Family was Hacked

"Dad, do you think Mom's already reached the other side?"

"Is there a chance she might forget us?"

My dad paused, his eyes instantly welling up. He bowed his head, continuing to pack my suitcase with milk cartons, just like Mom used to do.

"No way, kiddo. Mom loved us too much to ever forget."

"Sometimes I wish she would forget, just so she wouldn't be in pain anymore."

"...Stop thinking about it, alright? Everything's packed. We'll head back to school after dinner."

I'd only been home for a day, but Dad was already pushing me to head back to school.

With finals looming, he was adamant that I soldier through this tough time.

With a heavy heart, I returned to the classroom.

In just two days, my desk had become buried under a pile of test papers.

I forced myself to focus on the exams, but images of Mom kept invading my thoughts.

The harder I tried to suppress my sorrow, the more overwhelming it became.

After two evening study sessions, not a single answer was written on my papers.

Overwhelmed, I crumpled, hiding my face in my arms as I started to cry.

"What's this, a sob fest? You love crying so much, why not stay home and mourn a few more days?"

"She's barely cold, and you're back here bawling? Have some decency!"

"Your mom was clueless! In this era of influencers, she didn't even snag the chance to go viral."

"All publicity is good publicity. She couldn't even make a dime from lying down—what a dunce!"