That night, Mom didn’t sleep with my sister as usual. Instead, she lay down on my bed, hoping to feel the last trace of my presence.

In the past, I would have buried myself in Mom’s embrace, longing for her warm hug. But now, I no longer desired it. I felt my soul slowly dissipating, and perhaps soon I would have a truly loving mother and a genuinely warm embrace.

The next morning, after Mom got up, she stared blankly at the air for a while, then dressed and prepared to go out.

Allie grabbed Mom’s hand, worriedly saying, “Mom, where are you going? I’ll go with you.”

Mom shook...