Chapter 12 — From now on, mountains and rivers do not match each other

"Last year Tinh Nguyet had a high fever and in her delirium kept calling for her mother." His voice was low, "Tinh Vu collected all his pocket money and said that when he had enough money, he would come to Van Chau to find you."

My tears fell without having time to prepare.

“Why didn't you tell me sooner…”

"I was afraid that you would be in trouble," he wiped my tears, "I was also afraid that I would use the children to tie you down. But now I see, you have the right to know their thoughts."

That night, I couldn't sleep. My mind is full of the childhood looks of the two children - soft, fragrant, giggling in my arms. But in less than a month, they were taken away by Lady Luc for the reason of "training an heir". I knelt down and begged, cried until my eyes were dry, and in the end I could only watch the nanny carry the children away. That is the deepest wound in my heart. The next day, I told Luc Tram Chu: "I want to meet the children." His eyes lit up: "Okay! I'll make arrangements immediately!"

“But not now,” I added, “Let's wait until they have winter break. Come to Van Chau, stay at my house — if you feel secure.”

“Don't worry!” He immediately replied, "One hundred percent assured!"

Winter vacation is coming very quickly. The day I picked him up at the airport, my palms were sweaty from stress. When Luc Tram Chu took the two children out, I saw from afar that my legs were weak. Tinh Nguyet saw me first, paused for a second, then pushed her father's hand away and ran towards me.

“Mom!”

The little girl rushed into my arms, sobbing. Tinh Vu walked more slowly, coming in front of me, his eyes were also red, but he still tried to keep his face cold.

“Mom,” the boy said softly, “I have saved enough money.”

I squatted down, holding the two children tightly in my arms. The five-year gap in time was filled in this moment. During winter break that year, the old house was filled with laughter. Lam Nguyet has more playmates, the three children stick together all day. Although Lam Da seemed embarrassed, he still took Tinh Vu fishing and taught him to recognize herbs. Most of the time, Luc Tram Chu was also there, wearing an apron to help in the kitchen, just like a normal father. On New Year's Eve, we packed dumplings and watched the year-end gala (Xuan Van). Tinh Nguyet leaned on my lap and fell asleep, Tinh Vu also nodded sleepily. After arranging for the children, Luc Tram Chu and I sat outside in the yard to celebrate New Year's Eve. Fireworks bloom in the night sky, from morning to night.

“Vu Vi,” he called softly, “Thank you for giving me this opportunity.”

“I'm not about giving you a chance,” I looked at the fireworks, “It's about giving all of us a chance to start over.”

He grabbed my hand, this time I didn't pull away. When the bell rang at 0 o'clock, he placed a light kiss on my forehead.

“Happy New Year, Dr. Khuong.”

“Happy New Year, Mr. Luc.”

—

When spring came, Luc Tram Chu opened a company branch in Van Chau. You said it was to expand your business, but I know you want to stay here. The children moved to the international school in Van Chau, every Friday they were picked up at their old home, and on Sunday evening they were taken back to the school dormitory. Lam Da passed the entrance exam to the Oriental Medicine Academy, while studying and helping at Nhan Hoa Duong. Lam Nguyet's academic performance is very excellent, the teacher said she could be admitted directly to a key middle school. Everything is developing in a good direction. Until one day, an uninvited guest knocked on the door. It's Luc Man - Luc Tram Chu's childhood friend, the young lady of the Luc family, who almost became Mrs. Luc. She was wearing a high-end tailored suit, standing in front of my simple old house, looking like she had walked into the wrong movie set.

“Khuong Vu Vi,” she got straight to the point, “Leave Tram Chu.”

I invited her into the house and poured me a cup of tea.

"Miss Luc, you should say this to Luc Tram Chu."