Chapter 20 — After the Fire Ends, I Return

"My head is exploding. Luc Canh Xuyen's father harmed Tham Duat's brother, Lam Vi helped deliver the things, Luc Canh Xuyen held the key, and finally you rushed in to save Luc Canh Xuyen. Hua Duong, over the past seven years, giving away your youth to the dogs is better than giving it to him."

I sat on the edge of the bed. Tham Duat gave me a cup of warm water. Khuong Van looked at him: "Brother Tham, I asked a question that shouldn't be asked. Did you marry Hua Duong, in the end, to investigate the case, or for her?" Tham Duat did not avoid: "Both." Khuong Van's eyebrows stood up. I raised my hand to stop her: "Let him finish." Tham Duat looked at me: "After my brother passed away three years ago, I still couldn't find complete clues. It wasn't until half a year ago that I found out that you were the only person who broke into the kitchen and survived. I approached you, it was really because of what happened that year." Khuong Van was angry and was about to curse. Tham Duat continued: "But the day of marriage registration was not part of the plan." I asked: “So what is it?”

“I don't want you to have to go back to the Luc family again.”

He took out a piece of paper from his pocket. It is a prenuptial agreement.

"You can divorce at any time. I will not use the Tham family, nor will I use the past to tie you down."

I received the agreement and looked at it for a few seconds. Khuong Van blinked impatiently. I tore up the agreement. Tham Duat was stunned. I said: "Wait until everything is over, we will talk about ourselves." He looked at me, nodded: "Okay." Outside the door, the butler knocked on the door: "Sir, ma'am, Mr. Luc is kneeling outside the door, saying he wants to see you." Khuong Van cursed: "Does he still dare to kneel? Let him kneel like a statue of soldiers and horses." I stood up: "I'll go." Tham Duat frowned: "You don't need to see him."

“There are some words that I have to say directly.”

In front of the Tham family's door, Luc Canh Xuyen knelt under the stone steps. The rain fell so heavily that his suit was quickly soaked. Seeing me, he immediately raised his head: "Hua Duong, sorry." This was the first time in seven years that he seriously apologized. But when it reached my ears, it was only too late.

"There's more than just one thing about you being sorry to me."

“I accept it all.”

“Can you take it all?”

Luc Canh Xuyen's voice was hoarse: "I will compensate you. Your mother's restaurant, I will send a security guard. Van Lan Hall, I will rebook. The wedding, I can organize it ten times. For the wound on your back, I will find the best doctor." I interrupted him: "Luc Canh Xuyen, I didn't come here to discuss compensation with you." He looked at me: “So what do you want?”

“I want you to get away from me.”

Rainwater flowed down his hair: "Duong Duong, I love you." Khuong Van stood on the steps and cursed loudly. I said: "You don't love me. You only love Hua Duong who always waits for you, always gives in, and never leaves." He shook his head: "No."

“Yes.”

I took a step forward: "That Hua Duong, died in the Van Lan hall. Burned to death by the fire." Luc Canh Xuyen was completely silent. I turned around and walked inside. Behind him came his collapsed cry: "Hua Duong, you are really wrong!" I don't look back. * After Luc's father was arrested, the Luc family collapsed in half overnight. Luc's mother ran everywhere to beg for help. Finally, he begged all the way to Duong Ky's store. That day the restaurant was busy, my mother stood watching the pot of soup in the kitchen, I helped serve it in the lobby. Luc's mother was wearing flat shoes that she had never worn before, standing outside the door, her hair down, carrying a box of supplements in her hand. As soon as she entered, she was about to kneel down. My mother was startled and quickly moved aside: "Lady Luc, what are you doing?"