Swapping Parents Every September, But They Only Choose My Sister Chapter 08

Swapping Parents Every September, But They Only Choose My Sister Chapter 08

The day I became captain of the Northern Combat Unit, Dad underwent gallbladder surgery at the pack hospital. 

Aunt Maris contacted me through Iris’s phone and asked me to return to care for him. 

I was baffled. 

Isn’t Arden there? Have Arden go.” 

The other end went quiet for a moment. “Arden went on 

vacation. She said her flights and hotel were nonrefundable…” 

still refused. Dad is only fifty–seven. He hasn’t reached the age when pack rules require his children to provide elder care. 

The surgery isn’t life–threatening. He can make his own arrangements. If necessary, hire a care aide.” 

Care aides aren’t cheap either. They cost hundreds a day. 

Will you pay?” 

laughed. “Fine.” 

When he turns sixty, and I actually become responsible for his elder care, call me. 

“Until then, no.” 

Iris later told me that our pack relatives privately called me heartless. 

I didn’t care. 

“When my parents treated me like a burden and passed me, back and forth, why didn’t any of them speak up for me? 

“Arden was only prettier and better at sweet–talking them. 

Did that mean I deserved to be passed between them every September like an unwanted pup? 

Now they’re older and have become burdens to each other. 

They can live with it.” 

Two years later. 

As soon as Mom and Dad turned sixty, they petitioned the 

Pack Council to make Arden and me formally responsible for their elder care. 

I immediately proposed the arrangement I had planned years ago. 

One parent each. 

We would switch every September. 

Mom objected on the spot. “You come home, and we’ll live with you. Arden can pay while you care for us.” 

I knew why she wanted that. 

Earlier that year, she had been hospitalized with acute appendicitis. Arden visited once and did nothing to care for her. 

If they wanted reliable care, they had to cling to me. 

I stood by my proposal. 

“My work requires me to stay in Frostvale. I don’t have time to bring both of you here and look after you. 

And don’t think I don’t know Arden makes four thousand a month. How is she supposed to cover your expenses? I’d end up paying for everything.” 

In the end, the Pack Council approved my arrangement. 

The first year, I was responsible for Dad, while Arden took Mom. 

I hired Dad a regular home–care aide to cook and keep the house in order. 

His life immediately became much easier. 

Things were much simpler for Mom. Arden transferred her a small fixed amount every month. 

Mom had her own income, so she wasn’t struggling. 

But she couldn’t help envying Dad when she saw that someone cooked and cleaned for him. 

She wanted Arden to hire a care aide for her too, Arden refused without a second thought, 

“You know what we can afford. Why do you expect me to give you the same care she gives Dad?. 

“If you want one that badly, ask her to take you too. 

“Work is already exhausting. Stop creating more problems for me.” 

Because of elder care. 

Just as they once had over raising their children. 

The four of us had a family channel again. 

But almost no one ever spoke in it. 

Later, when Mom’s back pain became severe, she asked me to 

find an experienced healer in the Northern Pack. 

After making the appointment, she tagged Arden in the group. 

[Arden, come with Mom. Your sister has already arranged the healer.] 

Arden quickly replied with a crying emoji. 

[Mom, work has been exhausting lately.] 

Can it wait until next month?] 

(Or go by yourself. Your back hurts. Your legs aren’t broken.] 

Mom didn’t reply. 

I later heard from Iris that she went alone. 

She paid for a medical escort to accompany her, so she managed the trip without difficulty. 

But after she returned, her eyes stayed swollen for a long time. 

The following September, it was time to switch again. 

When Mom saw me, she nearly cried with relief. 

“Aveline, can I go to Frostvale with you? 

“I won’t be any trouble. I have some savings…”