Chapter 8 — I Returned After 18 Years and Found Mother's Lifelong Secret

I opened the lid. The gentle scent of wood spreads out. On top of the red velvet, lie two things. A piece of paper folded in half. And a small rough diamond. But under the light, it reflects clear and brilliant light. Like a frozen tear. I opened the paper. Familiar handwriting. But much stronger and full of vitality than the trembling lines in the last letter.

“For my future wife, Ngoc Phan.”

"This stone bears witness to my love. It will never change."

Signed: Lam Phong. The date listed below is one day before their wedding. I stopped. This is what my mother kept all her life. Not money. Not documents. It was the last promise of the man she once loved. I hold the diamond. I can imagine. Thirty some years ago. A young man gave it to a girl. They think the future will be bright. No one knew the tragedy that lay ahead. Mother kept evidence of guilt. Keep all the relics of love. Two opposing things. Together in a safe. She wanted me to see both. Want me to understand. She didn't just apologize. She asked for help. She lived her whole life in guilt and regret. Marry the man who caused the death of his fiance. Give birth to him. Spend a lifetime patching up a wound that will never heal. She gave everything to me. Like giving decision-making power. Or let go. I'm still drowning in a tangle of overlapping emotions. Then, at the door of the safe room, a figure appeared. I looked up startled. My heart almost burst out of my chest. The person standing there is not a bank employee. It's Giang Minh. His face was pale. In the eyes is fear. And something else. He stared at the things in my hand. His voice trembled like a dry leaf.

“Lam Dao called me.”

“He said… you're here.”

“He said you had something that could save your whole family.”

I looked straight at him. His face was distorted to the point of being unsightly because of greed and fear. Lam Dao certainly never made just one move. He called me. Also call Giang Minh. He wanted us to tear each other apart right in this sealed safe room. I calmly placed the diamond and the paper back in the wooden box. Then put both the wooden box and the file bag into the backpack. During that process, Giang Minh's eyes were glued to my bag like a hungry animal.

“Sister… what is that?”

He stepped closer, unable to hide his impatience.

“Lam Dao said that thing is very valuable.”

“Just sell it and I'll pay off all my debt.”

“We got rid of him.”

“The whole family… the whole family will be saved!”

His voice was sickly excited. I laughed. I repeat those two words, slowly.

“Eighteen years ago, when everyone emptied my account, did anyone think of 'the whole family'?”

“When you live in an apartment bought with my money, eating, drinking, and enjoying yourself as if it were natural… does anyone remember ‘the whole family’?”

“Giang Minh,” my voice was so cold that I could hear the sound of ice breaking, “from the day you guys chose to do that, we are no longer a family.”

The fake light in his eyes went out. Instead there was ferocity.

"Giang Vi! What are you talking about!"

“Do you intend to see death without help?”

“Dad is also my dad!”

“I am the root of the Giang family!”

“If you help me, you will also help the Giang family!”

Still the same old song. Eighteen years have passed, and I haven't grown any bigger.

“Help you?”

I curled my lips.

“Why should I help?”

“The debt you caused, why should I pay?”

“Your life is ruined, why should I buy it back?”

I walked step by step towards him. My aura made him unconsciously step back.

“I'll tell you what's in the bag.”

I pointed at the backpack.

“There is enough evidence to send Dad to prison for the rest of his life.”

“If I turned it in to the police… what do you think would happen?”

Giang Minh's face turned white.

“You are crazy!”

“He is my father!”

“Can you do that!”

"You're crazy! Cruel!"

He started cursing. I'm not angry. I just looked. Look at a big child struggling.

“I give you another choice.”

He stopped cursing, panted, and looked at me warily.

“Now, get out of my sight.”

“Take your wife out of that apartment.”

“Leave this city.”

“Don't ever appear in front of me and dad again.”

“If I can do it, I might consider letting this report never see the light of day.”

He was stunned. Obviously did not expect such conditions. His eyes shifted continuously, calculating. Apartment. Job. A leisurely life. Compared to his father being in prison, Lam Dao continued to follow him. Which one to choose? For someone as selfish as him to the core, the answer is obvious. But still not committed.

“So… what about money?”

He lowered his voice.

“Thu Lam Dao said… is that worth money?”

“Give it to me, I'll go now!”

“I swear I won't bother you anymore!”