This time, the gentle persuasion was gone. His voice shook—not with weakness, but with fury.

"Wife, *come home*! I support you!"

"From now on, let that unfilial daughter do as she pleases!"

The outburst shocked me. Immediately, I worried about his health. "What happened? Calm down—watch your blood pressure!"

Through jagged breathing, he explained. While I was packing, Jade had suffered a complete meltdown in the group chat.

I opened WeChat.

The family group had exploded.

After I'd announced my departure, the relatives had turned on Jade.

**【Jade, how can you joke like that? Apologize to your mother immediately!】**

**【She only has you. She's given everything for you these past years—how can you call her calculating?】**

Humiliated and defensive, Jade lashed out.

**【I was just joking! If she's that small-minded, whose fault is that?】**

**【You guys don't know her like I do. She loves calculating every penny!】**

My husband couldn't take it anymore. He @-mentioned her, his text radiating anger:

**【You bastard! How dare you talk about your mother like that? Apologize!】**

Instead of backing down, Jade doubled down. She sent a voice message—shrill, disrespectful.