Chapter 7 — 26 Days My Husband Lived In The Attic

He laughed helplessly.

“I'll probably have to stay another two to three weeks.”

“When exactly will we be back?”

“Not sure yet.”

“If I confirm, I will let you know.”

“Don't worry.”

After hanging up the phone, I looked at Tran Dien sitting in front of me. He doesn't have any special expressions. Just very calmly said:

“They took longer.”

“What do you mean?”

“If they continue to maintain the cover that I believe you are abroad…”

“I won't call the police.”

“Don't go looking for people.”

“Don't make a big deal out of it.”

“Just wait until I find you…”

His eyes darkened.

“Or wait for GR-17 to be approved.”

“At that time it was all over.”

“That data set is no longer valuable.”

I frowned.

“What do you mean…”

"The person pretending to be you was also arranged by Bui Chinh Tac?"

Tran Dien immediately shook his head.

“It was arranged by your other friend.”

He stopped.

“… Now I'm starting to feel uncertain.”

“Not sure what?”

“Not sure if he's really helping you…”

“Or just holding you back.”

I stared at him.

“The security friend you came to personally…”

“Now you don't know which side he's on?”

“I haven't seen him in four months.”

Tran Dien bowed his head.

“Last contact was three weeks ago.”

“He texted that everything was still going according to plan, and told me to continue waiting.”

“After that, contact was lost.”

I slowly squeezed my fingers.

“Tran Dien.”

“Have you ever considered a possibility?”

He raised his head to look at me.

“You're locked up.”

Tran Dien's face stiffened.

“That friend controls all of your communications.”

“Using a ‘Speaker Tran’ to make me believe you are in Germany.”

“Also make yourself believe that he is helping you.”

“But in reality…”

I looked around the house.

“You're locked up in your own attic.”

“No phone.”

“No internet.”

“No contact with the outside world.”

“I have a phone.”

Tran Dien immediately interrupted.

“But I can only contact him.”

“The encryption device was given to him.”

I repeat slowly:

“I can only contact him.”

Tran Dien was stunned. I saw his face turn white little by little.

“Is that any different from detention?”

“He's not a bad person…”

Tran Dien's voice was no longer as certain as before.

“When he helped you disappear, he took a huge risk.”

“What is his name?”

Tran Dien hesitated for a long time.

“Wei Tao.”

“Previously worked for a security company.”

“Later, I'll go out and do my own thing.”

“I knew him when I was in Tu Nac Khang.”

“What kind of acquaintance?”

“Recommended by a friend of a colleague.”

“He works as a corporate security consultant, sometimes collaborating with pharmaceutical companies.”

I laughed coldly.

“You gave your life to someone who was just a 'friend of a colleague'?

“Did you have any other choice then?”

Tran Dien almost shouted.

“Bui Chinh Tac's people have been following you.”

“Your car was stolen.”

“Phones may also be tapped.”

“Wei Tao is the only one who said he could help you.”

I stood up.

“Take me to the attic.”

Tran Dien was silent for a few seconds then nodded. The condition up there... was even tidier than I expected. A corner was spread out with a thin blanket to make a bed. Next to it are a few bottles of water, compressed cakes and some books. On the wall hangs a small clock — It's not something in the house, he probably brought it himself. There is also a mini rechargeable light with very weak light. The air was so stuffy that it was difficult to breathe, carrying a secret smell that had accumulated for too long. Tran Dien walked next to an old cardboard box, flipped over the layer of winter clothes and took out a very small black USB. Nail size only.

“All the original data is here.”

“Full report of phase two trial.”

“The same edited version was sent to the inspection agency.”

“Just compare and immediately see evidence of counterfeiting.”

“You checked yourself?”

“Is there no problem with the data?”

“I saw it.”

“No problem.”

I took the USB and put it in my pocket.

“Let me keep it.”

“Khuong Mac…”

“This thing on you is too dangerous.”

I looked at him.

“You're alone hiding in the attic.”

“If it's really discovered…”

“You can't keep anything.”

Tran Dien looked at me for a long time. Lips moved slightly, but in the end still did not object.

“Don't sleep upstairs tonight.”

“So where do you sleep?”

“Your house.”

“My bed.”

“But if they…”

“No one can get in.”