Chapter 3 — Being Falsely Accused of 680,000 Yuan, I Overthrew My Husband's Family

After that night, Truong Hao and I slept completely separately. Between us is not just a wall… but an impassable abyss. Indoor air drops to freezing point. We didn't talk to anyone, like two strangers living under the same roof. Mother-in-law, Vuong Tu Anh, watched everything. That afternoon, she brought a bowl of hot tea into my room.

“Van Van, drink it while it's still hot.”

I took it and said softly: "Thank you, Mom." She sat down next to my bed, wanted to speak but stopped, and finally sighed.

"That arrogant guy... makes me feel frustrated."

I shook my head, said nothing, just drank quietly.

“Actually… can't blame it all.” Her voice was very low, carrying the fatigue of the years. "Since childhood, he has lived by looking at his father's face, so he is afraid."

I looked up, a bit confused.

"Mom... I don't understand. Truong Kien Quoc... why does everyone fear him so much?"

Her eyes were distant, as if falling into old memories.

“Do you think he just turned into what he is now?” She smiled bitterly. “Since he was young, he was a man who was only good at talking and unable to do anything.”

An hour later, she told me about... a marriage that lasted several decades. A life full of lies, disappointment... and endless patience. From a young age, Truong Kien Quoc was lazy, gluttonous, and talked like honey, but never seriously accomplished anything. This house, from every brick... to the later grocery store... was built by Vuong Tu Anh, who woke up early and stayed up late.

“What about him?” She spoke, her voice calm as if telling someone else's story. "In addition to holding out his hand to ask for money, he also goes out and brags to his friends that this house is his responsibility."

In that calmness… I saw the pain buried deep.

"I thought with Tieu Hao, he would be more reasonable. But no." She smiled faintly. "The older he gets, the more excessive he is. In front of me, he has to act like a strict father, saying one thing is one thing. As long as Tieu Hao doesn't listen... he will beat him or scold him."

"I stood up to defend him, but he turned and cursed me, saying I was pampering my spoiled children."

"Over time, Tieu Hao became like this... weak, listening to his father in everything, not daring to resist."

I finally understand. Truong Hao's weakness... does not come naturally. It is something that is nurtured through years of oppression, violence... to the point of deformation.

“Mom… then why don't you leave?” I couldn't help but ask.

She was silent for a long time. Then speak slowly.

"Because of Tieu Hao. In this village... a child without a father will be talked about behind his back. I don't want him to suffer like that."

My heart suddenly ached. That was the type of women of that time. For children... you can sacrifice your whole life.

“Van Van, there is something… I have never told you guys.”

The mother-in-law's voice suddenly became serious. She paused for a moment, then slowly said each word:

“That 680,000 yuan… was not originally Truong Kien Quoc's pension.”

I was stunned.

“That's… money I saved my whole life.” Her voice trembled. "I originally intended to wait a little longer, take it out to exchange for you two a larger house in the city... so you can live better."

"I kept the money in a rarely used card, the password only I knew. I don't understand... how he knew, then secretly transferred it all..."

This truth... shocked me even more than that he gambled. That's not just 680,000 yuan. That is the deepest love of a mother. It's the sweat, tears, and tears of a woman's entire life. And everything... was mercilessly destroyed by the man named "husband" and "father". I looked at her red eyes. In that moment, all the resentment in my heart... melted into sadness. I reached out and held her rough, cold hand.

"Mom, don't be sad. Money is lost... you can still get it back."

She squeezed my hand very tightly.

"Van Van, I'm sorry. It's my useless mother... not being able to control that beast that makes you suffer like this."

“Mom, it's not your fault.”

"Up until now, I thought family harmony was the priority, a little patience was enough. But now I understand... with that kind of person, holding back is useless. The more you hold back, the more he sees you as easier to bully."

She looked at me, her eyes had never been so determined.

"Mom supports you. Do whatever you want. Even if it's... divorce, I'm on your side."

Her words... were like warm water, covering my heart. Three years after marrying into this house, this is the first time I have felt... a kind of pure love. I nodded vigorously.

“Mom, let's work together… to eradicate this ulcer.”

The two women, in that moment, became the strongest allies. The goal is only one— Eliminate Truong Kien Quoc from this life. Before leaving, her mother-in-law pulled out an old wooden box from under the bed. She took out a dark blue hardcover notebook and handed it to me.

"This is... the amount of money Truong Kien Quoc has taken from home over the past few years. Mom... secretly recorded it all."

Thick lines of text fill the page. Each account clearly states the date, amount... and the excuse he made up.

“Day… take 5,000 yuan, say you need to be hospitalized urgently.”

“One day… took 10,000 yuan, said to invest in business.”

I turned each page. The notebook is thin... but weighs as much as a lifetime. This is the evidence of Truong Kien Quoc. It's also a half-life tragedy for her mother-in-law. I closed the book and hugged it tightly. Counter weapon… I already have it.