My 78-year-old mother confessed to me through tears: “Your father forbids me from going to the doctor. Every evening, he forces me to take some of his own medication and tells me not to tell anyone.” I was horrified. The next day, I secretly took my mother to the hospital. But when I saw the test results, my legs gave way beneath me, and I collapsed to the floor…

My father was in the garden. When he saw me, he looked surprised.

“Sarah? Why didn’t you call before coming over?”

“I wanted to see Mom.”

His smile disappeared for a moment.

“She isn’t feeling well. You should come back another day.”

I looked him straight in the eyes.

“Dad, I’m taking Mom to the doctor.”

He froze.

“There’s no reason to go to the hospital. I’m taking care of her health.”

“You’re not a doctor.”

Suddenly, my father raised his voice.

“I said it isn’t necessary!”

I had never seen him behave like that before.

At that moment, my mother appeared in the doorway.

She was wearing her old blue dress. Her face was pale.

She looked so weak that it broke my heart.

“Mom, come on. Let’s go.”

My father grabbed the doorframe.

“Linda, please don’t leave.”

I turned toward him.