“Hello Mom, how are you doing?”

“I'm fine, and you? What about everyone else at home?”

“We're all fine over here, so there's nothing to worry about.”

“Yeah, I'm good. I just thought to hear from you again.”

“Okay, talk to you later, Mom.”

“Yeah, bye.” Lillian brought down the cellphone from her ear with a sigh.

Her lips were curved into a small smile as she stared at the phone screen for a moment before dumping it on the small table beside her.

She left the rails of the balcony to sit on the empty seat and crossed her legs against each other. Glancing down at the table, she...