Chapter 21 — I Have Conceded Enough

Maybe he didn't want me to stand out too much at the wedding. The makeup artist was going to help me retouch my face. I refuse.

“This is fine.”

Hua Tinh Mien took out a bracelet with sapphire beads from the jewelry box. There are two. He gave one to me.

“Sister, put it on.”

“Mom said, this bracelet symbolizes that our love as sisters will always be strong.”

I glanced at my mother. She was standing to the side, her eyes filled with expectation. I received the bracelet. Wear on wrist. Hua Tinh Mien finally breathed a sigh of relief.

“So beautiful.”

I said nothing. Half of the sapphire touched the skin. Cold as ice. Before the ceremony started, Luc Tram Le stopped me in the hallway. He is wearing a groom's suit. But her face doesn't look like someone about to get married.

“Are you really coming?”

“Promised.”

“I even wear bracelets.”

“I also promised.”

He stared at me.

“Now besides agreeing, what else can you say?”

“Yes.”

“Say what?”

“No.”

Luc Tram Le's face darkened.

“Ta Tri Vi.”

“The wedding hasn't started yet.”

"There's still time if you change your mind."

I was a bit surprised.

“What did I change my mind about?”

“I understand what you want to say.”

“I don't understand.”

He took a step forward.

“Just say you don't want it.”

“Today's wedding may be canceled.”

I looked at him.

“And then what?”

“We will talk again from the beginning.”

“What are you talking about?”

“About our engagement.”

I burst out laughing.

“Luc Tram Le.”

“The day I returned home, you refused to refuse her.”

"Now that the wedding hall has been decorated, you come to ask me if I want it or not."

“Do you think that as long as I open my mouth to compete, you can safely turn around, right?”

His face turned pale.

“I just want to know if you still care about me or not.”

“Ever concerned.”

“So what now?”

“It doesn't matter anymore.”

“But it's important to me.”

“That's your job.”

The music in the ceremony hall rang out. The staff ran to urge the groom to come inside. Luc Tram Le did not move. He grabbed my wrist tightly. Just press on the sapphire bracelet. The metal cuts into the skin and causes pain.

“Tri Vi.”

“Have you really thought it through?”

I bowed my head and looked at his hand.

“Let go.”

He didn't let go.

“Just say a word.”

“Say what?”

“Say you don't want me to marry her.”

I raised my eyes.

“I don't want you to marry her.”

Luc Tram Le's eyes immediately lit up. But the next second, I continued:

“And I don't want you to marry me either.”

His hands were stiff. I slowly withdrew my hand.

“I don't want you to marry her.”

"I don't want you to marry me either."

The music started again. The ceremony door slowly opened. Hua Tinh Mien held her father's arm and stood at the top of the red carpet. It stood from afar looking at us, the smile on its face frozen little by little. Luc Tram Le was still standing in front of me. Didn't go towards it at all. The guests began to whisper loudly. Dad's face was extremely unsightly. The eldest brother walked quickly.

“Tam Li, the ceremony has begun.”

Luc Tram Le was still staring at me.

“Ta Tri Vi.”

“The last time.”

“Will you keep me?”

I looked at Hua Tinh Mien standing on the red carpet. There were tears in his eyes. Then I looked at my mother again. Grandma nervously clutching the wallet in her hand. Everyone is waiting. Wait I will fight like before. Just say keep it. Hua Tinh Mien can cry. Luc Tram Le can turn around. My parents and eldest brother can warn me not to provoke him. Everything will return to its most familiar position. I smiled slightly.

“I wish you a happy wedding.”

The blood on Luc Tram Le's face completely drained away. I passed him and stepped forward. But Hua Tinh Mien did not move. Dad urged him in a low voice:

“Let's go.”