Chapter 2 — Forcing My Mother to Sleep on the Sofa, Do You Think I Will Resist?

I'm not in the mood to say another word. I've had enough of this hypocrisy. I bent down and pulled my mother's suitcase straight up, moving decisively.

“Mom, let's go.”

I didn't even bother to look at Tran Minh one more time. That man... is no longer worthy of me wasting even a single emotion. My mother worriedly turned her head to look at his gloomy face. But in the end, still holding my hand, she walked out of the house, making her suffocate. In her eyes, there was a bit of relief. There was also a bit of… pride in the strength her daughter had just gained. Behind, Ly Thuy Phuong's curses and Tran Minh's roars were intertwined, like a deafening harmony.

“Lam Van, come back here!”

“You betrayed, right!”

Those sounds gradually faded away. Until it was completely blocked by the heavy anti-theft door. I held my mother's hand and walked on the cold night street. In my heart... peace like never before. This is just the beginning. The real play… starts tomorrow. On the big, soft hotel bed, my mother tossed and turned, unable to sleep. She held my hand, her voice very soft.

"Van Van, have you made things difficult for me? Or... you can go back to sleep on the sofa tomorrow, don't argue with that side because of me..."

I pulled the blanket back for her, looked at the gray hair on her temples, and my heart suddenly tightened.

"Mom, you're not wrong. It's their fault."

"Before, I was too stupid. I thought a little patience would make things go smoothly, but in the end, it only made them feel overwhelmed."

I looked out the window, the city lights were as bright as stars. Every word, clearly and decisively.

“From today… it won't be like that anymore.”

“Things that belong to us — especially dignity…”

“I will take it back myself.”

The next morning, I returned alone to that place called "home". The living room is empty. On the dining table were two cold portions of breakfast, the edges of the sandwich were dry and hard, and a thin layer of milk appeared on the surface of the milk. The whole house was engulfed in a heavy, suffocating atmosphere. I had just finished changing my shoes when the living room door creaked open. Ly Thuy Phuong was wearing pajamas with red peony prints. As soon as she saw me, she immediately showed a sarcastic expression.

"Oh, our young lady is back? After serving your mother at a five-star hotel, do you finally remember this house?"

She leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, her eyes full of sarcasm and provocation.

"What a filial child. Her biological mother treated her like a Buddha, but I - the person who used her as a buffalo and a horse - was left at home, not even having a hot meal to eat."

The main bedroom door also opened, Tran Minh stuck his head out, his long face looked like someone owed him several hundred thousand.

"Lam Van, you were too much yesterday! Immediately go to the hotel to pick up your mother, then apologize to my mother!"

He tried to use the "host's" tone to give orders. He chose the wrong person. Without expression, I passed them and walked straight towards the living room. Ly Thuy Phuong thought I was going to make her bed, the corner of her lips curled up into a smug smile. I pushed the door. Her bright red suitcase lay in the middle of the room, like an occupying animal, blatantly taking over the space that belonged to my mother. I didn't say a word. Step in, carry a heavy suitcase, at least more than twenty kilograms. Ly Thuy Phuong and Tran Minh both froze, not understanding what I intended to do. I packed my suitcase, without hesitation, and left straight to the mysterious gate. Hand pulls hard on anti-theft door. Then, right before their horrified eyes— I used all my strength and threw the suitcase straight out. The suitcase hit the hallway, rolled a few times, then hit the opposite wall hard before stopping. Two seconds later— A shrill scream tore through the air.

"Ah——! Lam Van! What are you doing?! Are you crazy?! That's my luggage! On what basis do you dare throw my things!"

Ly Thuy Phuong's face turned pale, her lips trembled, her voice distorted with fear and anger. Tran Minh also regained his composure, rushing forward like a mad cow, grabbing my wrist tightly. The force was so strong that it seemed to crush bones.

"You dare throw my mother's luggage out?! What do you want to do?! Do you want to rebel?!"

His eyes were bloodshot, his expression fierce, wanting to use violence to force me into submission. I yanked my hand away. Wrist hurts like it's on fire. I don't look at him. Her eyes were as cold as a blade, staring straight at Ly Thuy Phuong's face twisted with anger. Every word, clearly and distinctly.

“This house… I bought it.”

“Mrs—out.”

My voice is not loud. But like a thunderclap, it exploded right in their ears. Time seemed frozen. Their faces turned visibly white. Surprise, disbelief, panic... all mixed together, making them look like two funny puppets. I pointed to the lonely suitcase outside the door and repeated it again, without any emotion.

“Don't you understand?”

"This house is my pre-marital property. On the red book there is only the name Lam Van."

"Right now."

“Get out of my house.”