Chapter 9 — Eight Stolen Years

I looked straight into his eyes.

“Luc Xuyen.”

“I asked you.”

“If you knew the truth back then…”

“Knowing that she is just a thief who stole other people's lives…”

“Are you still going to confess your love to her?”

That question was like a sharp blade, stabbing straight into his heart. Luc Xuyen could not answer. Because the answer… Both he and I understand it too well.

“She admitted it.”

After a long time, he opened his mouth with difficulty, as if he had exhausted all his strength.

“Last night… she told me everything.”

I slightly raised my eyebrows.

“What did she say?”

"Are you saying you're suddenly confused?"

“Or are you saying you made a mistake because you love me so much?”

An expression of extreme disgust appeared on Luc Xuyen's face. Obviously… I guessed right.

“She begged me… not to tell you.”

He looked at me, his eyes full of guilt.

“She said she was willing to do anything to make it up to you.”

I repeat those two words, only to find them extremely ironic.

“What does she have to compensate?”

“Using your stolen life in exchange for eight years of mine being ruined?”

I leaned forward slightly, looking straight at him.

“Luc Xuyen.”

“I came here today…”

“Not to plead on her behalf, right?”

He was silent. But that silence... Was the best answer. He is the type of person who is arrogant to the core. He cannot accept that his love and marriage are built on such a dirty lie. He came today. Is to confirm the truth. Also to atone for sins.

“What do you want me to do?”

He asked, a note of resigned desperation in his voice.

“I don't need you to do anything.”

I shook my head.

“I just need you to do something for me.”

I took out a small tape recorder from my pocket and pushed it in front of him.

“Ask her.”

“Ask how she stole my portfolio that year.”

“Ask her how she planned step by step to have my achievements canceled, so that she could easily take her place at Capital University.”

"Ask her if she has taken on my status as valedictorian of the whole province, can comfortably go to school, and how she will be in love with you."

I looked at him and said every word clearly:

“I want her…”

“Speak out all the details yourself.”

“I recorded everything.”

Luc Xuyen's pupils contracted strongly. He understood my intention. What I want is not money. Not an apology either. It's the iron proof that makes it impossible for her to reverse the situation. I want her to... Put herself in jail.

“She won't say.”

His voice was hoarse.

“She will talk.”

I confirm for sure.

“Just tell her this is your last chance.”

“As long as she honestly confesses everything…”

“I will consider forgiving her and not divorce her anymore.”

I looked at his painful eyes and continued:

“To keep you…”

“Maintain your current rich life…”

“She will tell everything.”

This is a trap. The most cruel trap was set up from Tham Nguyet's love for Luc Xuyen... along with her attachment to her current rich life. And the person who did it... must have been Luc Xuyen. He took the tape recorder. Fingertips were cold and trembling slightly. He clasped it in his palm. He only said one word. Then stood up, turned around and left. I looked at his back determinedly That's great. Knowing that the end of Tham Nguyet... is not far away. I picked up the phone and made a call. It's for teacher Truong.

“Teacher, it's me, Chu Le.”

“Le Le, what's going on?”

“Teacher, I want to ask you to help me with something.”

“Help me contact Principal Ly at the Department of Education that year, who is in charge of admission documents.”

“I have something… I want to ask him myself.”

When Luc Xuyen returned home, it was already dark. The mansion that once made him feel warm and proud... Now in his eyes, it is like a cold and luxurious tomb. Tham Nguyet is sitting on the living room sofa. Don't turn on the lights. Only the light from the TV screen shined on her face from morning to night. Apparently she cried for a long time. Eyes swollen and red. As soon as she saw Luc Xuyen return, she immediately grabbed a lifeline like a drowning person and rushed to hug him.

“Husband, I'm home!”

"Listen to my explanation, it's not like what Chu Le said! She's taking revenge on me! She's lying!"

Luc Xuyen did not push her away. Don't hug her back either. He just let her cling to his arm. The whole person was stiff like a rock.