Chapter 23 — I Never Made It to Nam Thanh With You

Ha Man Nhu hurried down the dais, her face flushed with anxiety. Kien Nguyet, if you have something to say, save it for when we are home. There are so many elders and members of the press here today; do not act so impulsively. She reached out, attempting to pull me aside, but my father stood up, placing himself firmly between us. Let her finish, he commanded.

Ha Man Nhu’s expression darkened instantly. Chinh Dinh, are you going to indulge her childish tantrum? The invitations from both families have already been sent out. The engagement was agreed upon long ago. My father looked her straight in the eye. Agreed upon by whom? My daughter never gave her consent.

Ha Man Nhu was left speechless, her mouth hanging open. Co Nghien Le snapped the velvet ring box shut with a sharp click. Uncle Lam, this is a private matter between Kien Nguyet and me. I will explain everything to her myself. He turned his gaze back to me, his eyes filled with a volatile mix of deep resentment and utter confusion. If you want to go to the Northwest, I can go with you to take a look. If you do not want to be engaged right now, we can postpone the date. But you cannot stand in front of all these people and say that eighteen years of affection is severed just like that.

So, he did know that we had been together for eighteen years. Yet, throughout those eighteen years, he had never once truly asked what I desired. It was not severed today, I said, my voice calm and steady. It was severed every single time you forced me to concede to Tong Uan Ninh. Every time you took my belongings to offer them to her as a gift. And every time you deluded yourself into thinking that marrying me was enough to compensate for every wound you inflicted. Co Nghien Le, it is not that I suddenly do not need you today. It is that I am finally done lying to myself.

His lips trembled, but no sound emerged. Ha Man Nhu raised her voice. Even if the engagement is up for discussion, you cannot use the Te Nguyet Villa project to vent your anger. The Co family poured a fortune into the restoration of this estate. If Kien Nguyet withdraws now, how are we supposed to handle the award evaluations? The media coverage and the exhibition schedule have already been finalized.

She finally stopped pretending to be a mother concerned only with the children's happiness. I looked up at the large screen; those stinging words were still displayed prominently: Project Support: Lam Kien Nguyet. I did not say the Co family could not continue using Te Nguyet Villa, I clarified. I am simply reclaiming the rights to my own creative work.

Ha Man Nhu’s face fell further. What do you mean by your creative work? Te Nguyet Villa is an ancestral home of the Co family. Nghien Le participated in the restoration from the very beginning to the end. Since you two were already preparing to marry, why must you be so calculating about who gets the credit? Whispers began to ripple through the rows of guests. Co Nghien Le looked at me. Kien Nguyet, this is not the time to argue over credits. If I can be this decisive about our engagement, why shouldn't I be equally decisive about my own work?

Just then, a clear, authoritative voice echoed from the back of the auditorium. Of course, it must be clearly distinguished. Everyone turned their heads in confusion. Professor Tham stood up from the very last row. He was dressed in a dark gray shirt, holding the brochure for the inauguration ceremony. Ha Man Nhu clearly had not expected him to be here. Professor Tham? Didn't you say you would only arrive for the summer camp?

It was Mr. Lam who invited me to come and see Te Nguyet Villa for myself, Professor Tham replied, striding toward the stage. And since I am here, I might as well clarify one thing. He opened the ceremony brochure. Young Innovation: Co Nghien Le. Co-creator of Imagery: Tong Uan Ninh. And the author of the architectural plan, Lam Kien Nguyet, is listed merely as a project supporter? Who exactly approved this list?