She examined Isabella with a probing look. "I heard from your sister that you've done well for yourself. Are you now the wife of a rich family?"
Isabella’s heart clenched instinctively, every nerve in her body seemingly pulled tight, as though her blood had frozen, and her vitality was slowly draining away.
"What brought you here?" she asked, her voice trembling ever so slightly.
"You haven’t come to see me for such a long time," her mother began, shifting into her usual mode of complaint. "Bella, I have a terminal illness. I don’t have much time left. Before I die, I want to see you. I tried calling you many times, but you never answered. I sent you messages, but you never replied. Did you forget about me now that you're doing well and have become successful...?"
Her voice broke, and
