Chapter 10 — 30 Years of Stolen Identity

He stared at the screen, his lips trembling.

“No way… he… he obviously has a lot of money…”

"He has money. But the money is in the company, which the company is in debt to." I said. "That's why he quickly found someone with property to marry, and used that property as collateral for a loan."

The cafe is quiet. To Phan's face changed from white to pale green. After a while, it suddenly laughed.

“You're lying to me, right?”

“I'll go check it out myself.”

“I don't believe it!” It stood up. "Mr. Trieu treats me so well! Buys me jewelry, takes me on trips! How can I be in debt!"

“Because he needs your help in conning him into a loan.”

“You talk nonsense!” To Phan shouted. "I just don't want to help you! I'm jealous because you found a good man!"

The surrounding tables turned to look. The waiter walked over.

“Please keep your voices down.”

I still sat, continuing to drink coffee. To Phan stood there, breathing rapidly.

“To Phan, listen clearly.” I looked straight into its eyes. "Trieu Kien Quoc owes 6,000,000 yuan to the bank. He looked for you because he thought you had a house and could mortgage it. Once you get the loan, do you think he still needs you?"

To Phan did not speak.

"He will leave you. Just like Chu Loi once left you."

“No… no…”

"Think for yourself. Why did he rush to register the marriage? Why did he rush to give you the house papers? Because the debt was about to come due, he couldn't wait."

To Phan sat down on the chair. Tears fell.

“So… what should I do…”

“Pay yourself 800,000 yuan.” I said. "Take care of Tieu Bao's own affairs. Take responsibility for your own life."

“Where will I get the money…”

"Then go to work. Go make money. Go pay off debt."

To Phan shook his head and sobbed.

“I can't do it… I can't bear it…”

“Then face the legal consequences.”

To Phan raised his head and looked at me. Eyes full of resentment.

“To Nghenh, do you really hate me that much?”

“I don't hate you.” I said. “I just don't love you anymore.”

It froze. I hold my bag.

"To Phan, from today, there is no longer any relationship between you and me. You pay the debt yourself, you take care of everything yourself. I won't help you any more."

I walked out the door. Behind, To Phan shouted:

“So what do you owe me?!”

I'm back.

“What do I owe you?”

“I owe you a big sister!” It cries. "Since I was little, you've been better than me! Your parents like you! Your teachers like you! Everyone likes you! You're nothing like me! You can only take my things and use my identity to live like a human!"

The whole restaurant looked towards us. I turned around and stood in front of it.

“To Phan, do you know?”

“The person I was most jealous of… was you.”

It was dumbfounded.

"I was sick, my parents stayed up all night to take care of me. I cried, they comforted me. Whatever I wanted, they gave it to me."

"And you? You ranked first, they said 'of course'. You got a scholarship, they said 'it saves money on housing'. You were sick, they said 'take medicine and you'll be cured'."

"From childhood to adulthood, I have never received a compliment. Not because I am not good enough, but because all my attention is devoted to you."

“To Phan, you didn't just take away my identity.”

“You took away my entire childhood.”

To Phan opened his mouth, unable to say a word. I turned and left. As soon as I walked out the door, my phone rang.

"Welcome! Where is Judge?!"

“At the coffee shop.”

"He... he just texted his mother, saying he didn't want to live anymore! Stop him!"

I turned my head. To Phan collapsed on the table, his shoulders shaking. I step came, picked up the bottle of sleeping pills on the table. Empty. An ambulance took To Phan to the hospital. Gastric lavage, first aid, then hospitalization for monitoring. My mother ran over and as soon as she saw me, she scolded me.

"To Nghenh! You're provoking him again, aren't you?! He's your younger brother! Can't you give him up just once?!"

The doctor came out of the emergency room.

"The patient is out of danger, but is mentally very unstable. The family needs close care."

My mother rushed into the hospital room. To Phan lay on the bed, his face pale, his wrist wrapped in bandages. Seeing his mother, he burst into tears.

“Mom… I can't live anymore… Mr. Trieu doesn't need me… the loan can't be repaid… Tieu Bao is still in the hospital… I have nothing left…”

My mother hugged him and cried.

"You idiot! Why are you thinking so much? Mom is here, she will help you!"

“What kind of help…” To Phan shook his head, “my family doesn't even have 30,000 yuan…”

My mother looked up at me.

"Ngh Nghenh, you heard me! Your brother has reached this point, can't you help him?!"

There were other patients and family members in the room. They all looked at me. I walked over to the bed.

“To Phan, how do you want me to help you?”

He stopped crying and looked at me.

“The house… let me borrow it for three months.”

“And then?”

"I'm marrying Mr. Trieu, I'll pay you back."

“What if he doesn't need me?”

To Phan bit his lip.

“Then… I will return the house to you.”

“What will I get in return?”

“Will you pay?” I asked.

To Phan was silent. My mother stood up.