Chapter 12 — I Don't Need This Family Anymore

“Defendant, pay attention to what you say.”

“This is the court.”

“Not your house.”

“This place only talks about the law.”

“Don't talk about love.”

That moment... All of Luu Ngoc Tran's tricks. All invalid. She stood there. For the first time, I understood... There are places she cannot control. Final verdict. Completely on my side. The court determined that, while I was seriously ill, Tu Ve Quoc and Luu Ngoc Tran committed acts of neglect. Therefore, the nurturing relationship between me and them... is not recognized. Tu Duong, for inciting trouble, must compensate me fifty thousand, including property and mental damage. At the same time, his gambling debt... is handled separately. Most importantly. The court accepted my third request. Determined that Luu Ngoc Tran forced me mentally and misappropriated my money for a long time. Force her for three months… repay two hundred and forty thousand. When the judge finished reading. Liu Ngoc Tran rolled her eyes. The entire courtroom... was chaos. Look at all. No gloating. All that remains is… Calm after everything is over. This battle… Finally ended. 21 Rebirth After the verdict takes effect. The Tu family... completely collapsed. Luu Ngoc Tran could not bear the shock, had a stroke, was bedridden, and could no longer speak. The several million dollars in her hand... became the only thing that clung to her. But because I had to return two hundred and forty thousand... my account was blocked. Tu Duong was forced to the limit by debt and lawsuits. Finally had to sell the car. Mental collapse. I heard... I lost my job. Tu Ve Quoc... is the most pitiful person. No more home. Money is completely accounted for. Disabled son. Just for one night… From the host. Become an exhausted old man. Must take care of two patients. Grandma was also brought home. He took care of it alone. The two used to hold power in the house. Now I can only lie there. Looking at each other and sighing. And Duong Le. After the trial. Immediately divorced. Don't ask for anything. Just bring your daughter and your own money. I heard he went to work. But freedom. Finally passed the entrance exam to the number one school. Their lives... Going towards the light. All of that... No longer concerns me. I received two hundred and forty thousand compensation. With my savings, I made a deposit to buy a small apartment, close to the company. But lots of sunshine. I design the interior myself. Every little corner... is something I like. I changed jobs. Manager Vuong kept me for a long time. But I still left. That place... has so many old memories. I joined a bigger company. Higher position. Better income. New environment. New people. New challenge. Everything… starts again. I learned to cook. Cook yourself a delicious meal on the weekend. I go to yoga class. Learn how to keep your body and mind… soft yet strong. I also have a cat. Very engaging. Every day after work. They were all sitting in front of the door waiting for me. Use the soft head to rub against my leg. My life… But full of hope. One day. I received a phone call from Tu Tinh. Its voice is soft.

“Are you…are you free this weekend?”

“My mother… wants to invite you to dinner.”

I was silent for a bit. We met at a normal restaurant. Duong Le looks thinner. But in the eyes… there was something I had never seen before.

“Hua Tham.”

She poured me tea. For the first time… peer-to-peer conversation.

“What happened before… sorry.”

I hold a cup of tea. Take a sip. She took it out an envelope. Push towards me.

“It's a little… but you have to accept it.”

About ten thousand.

"I don't need it."

I pushed back. She looked at me. Very serious.

“No compensation.”

“Not even a thank you.”

“This is the first investment…”

“For my new life and my baby.”

“We want to live like you.”

“Stand on your own.”

“The main road is the main road.”

“This money… is the first step.”

I looked at her. Then looked at Tu Tinh. The child's eyes lit up. This is her way of cutting off the past. I receive money. The meal that day was very quiet. We talked about Tu Tinh's studies. Duong Le's work. And my cat. No one mentioned the Tu family. As if it was all… Just an old dream. We walked out. The sun is very beautiful. We parted ways at the intersection. Looking at the mother and daughter holding hands as they walked away. I smiled. Then turn away. Go in the opposite direction. The sunlight lengthens my shadow behind me. From today. I am no longer anyone's child. No longer anyone's sister. She is no longer anyone's aunt. I'm just Hua Tham. A person... belongs to himself. And my new life… It's just begun.