Chapter 12 — 47 Days of Betrayal, I Turned the Game Over

I hung up the phone, sat quietly for a few seconds, feeling like life was suffocating me and pulling me up. If I didn't climb, I would be buried, but if I gritted my teeth and climbed, I would be raised higher. The next afternoon, Mike called.

“The Royal Canadian Mounted Police took action, at four o'clock this afternoon they arrived at Sunshine Farm in Kelowna to make an arrest.”

“Have you caught it yet?”

"Arrested, Lam Tri Vien was handcuffed right in the kitchen."

My legs were weak, I had to hold on to the edge of the table to stand steady.

“What about Tieu Hoa?”

"The girl was in the backyard at the time. The child protection agency was present and took her away."

“Where is the baby?”

“Being placed in a local temporary care home, Niem An, you must go there immediately.”

“I'll go now.”

“I've booked a ticket for you tonight.”

“Mike… thank you.”

“No need, quickly go pick up your daughter.”

I threw down my phone, started packing my luggage, my hands were shaking but I had never been so sure. I stopped while packing, took my phone to call my mother.

“What's wrong, child?”

“He's been captured.”

The other side was silent for a few seconds, then burst into tears.

"Mom, don't cry, I'll go pick up Tieu Hoa right away."

"Go! Go!"

Dad grabbed the phone.

“Nien An, hold on, bring her home safely!”

“I know.”

I hung up the phone, grabbed my bag and left. The flight to Kelowna was only an hour. I sat on the plane and looked out the window. I only saw black, but one thing was clear in my mind. In front of me was my daughter. From the moment I received the text message at the airport until now, it's been forty-seven days, forty-seven days of running everywhere, going through all the procedures, making countless phone calls, having sleepless nights, crying until I was exhausted, but it was finally about to end. The plane landed in Kelowna, and the contact Mike arranged was waiting at the exit, a Chinese female lawyer named Linda Vuong.

"I am a local cooperative lawyer. The child protection agency has received all documents proving the relationship and child custody ruling from China, and is currently conducting verification."

“How long will it take?”

“If there are no problems, the procedure for transferring temporary guardianship can be completed tomorrow morning.”

“Tomorrow morning…”

"Yes, Tieu Hoa is safe in the care of her family tonight."

“Can I see her tonight?”

Linda thought for a moment and said she would try to arrange a video call. After a few phone calls, she gave me an iPad. The screen lights up. A warm living room appears. A middle-aged white woman appears in the frame.

"Mrs. To? Your daughter is here, let me call her."

The screen vibrates slightly. Then Tieu Hoa appeared. She was wearing strange pajamas, her hair was messy, and her eyes were red. But as soon as it saw me, its eyes lit up like an explosion of light. My tears fell immediately.

“Tieu Hoa, it's mom.”

"Where are you mom? Why didn't you come pick me up? Dad said she was busy and couldn't come, dad lied!"

“Mom will come pick me up tomorrow, tomorrow!”

"Really?"

“Really, I promise.”

The baby burst into tears, shaking every beat.

“Mom, I miss you… I don't want to be here… I want to go home…”

"Good girl, get some sleep, tomorrow when you open your eyes you'll see mom."

“What if mom cheats on me again?”

“Have you ever lied to me?”

The baby cried and nodded.

“Then mom must come.”

"Certain."

I sat in the car, crying for ten minutes. Linda sat next to him, didn't say anything, just gave him a tissue. After crying, I wiped my face.

“Linda, what time will you arrive at MCFD tomorrow?”

“Nine in the morning.”

The next morning, I stood in front of the MCFD office. Neat clothes. Hair tied back. All documents have been prepared. The review process happened faster than I expected. Papers proving the relationship, domestic child custody ruling, passport, Lam Tri Vien's arrest record... all are complete. MCFD staff finished watching and discussed some legal details with Linda. Then say a sentence.

"Mrs. To, you can take your daughter home."

At that moment, I couldn't stand firmly. Linda helped me a bit.

“Go pick up your child.”

The car stopped in front of the temporary foster home. Through the window, I saw a small figure looking out. I opened the car door. The main door also opened. Tieu Hoa stood there. Seeing me, she stopped for a second. Then rush forward. I knelt down and spread my arms. She crashed into my arms, hugged my neck tightly, trembling.

“Mom… mom… mom…”

I hugged my child so tightly that I was afraid that if I let go, I would lose him.

“Mom is here.”

I don't know how much time has passed. One minute, or ten minutes. I picked him up, his legs wrapped around my waist, his face buried in my shoulder, calling "mommy" non-stop. The adoptive woman stood at the door, wiping her tears. Linda too. And I... don't cry anymore. It's not that I don't want to. But I've cried enough.