Chapter 14 — Last Hope

Just a slight movement. So light—like a breeze. I thought I was wrong. I held my breath. Stare. A few seconds later— her fingers curled up again. I see clearly. Not an illusion.

“Doctor! Doctor!”

I shouted. Voice broke. The doctor and nurse immediately ran in.

“What's going on?”

“She... her hand just moved!”

I pointed. Trembling all over. The doctor immediately checked. Shine a light into your eyes. Check reflexes. he was stunned.

“Unbelievable…”

“This is a miracle!”

His voice was filled with excitement.

“Brain waves are reacting clearly!”

“The vitals are recovering quickly!”

“Prepare for brain CT and MRI now!”

“Call all the experts!”

The hospital room immediately became chaotic. People passing by. Overlapping sounds. didn't hear anything. I just looked at her. Her eyelids trembled slightly. The corner of her lips... seemed to move up a bit. A tear... rolled down from the corner of her eye. I heard it. everything is over. You're safe. You... can wake up. I burst into tears. Can't hold back anymore. I collapsed on the side of the bed. Cry like you've never cried before. A year long— all the resentment, fear, hatred, longing— This is liberation— coming too late. I sat outside the hospital room. Waiting for something— that I thought… would never come again. Test results are returned one by one. Everything… is moving in a good direction. After consultation, experts concluded: the patient has a very high possibility of regaining consciousness in a short time. Furthermore, because the body functions were previously maintained quite well, after waking up, the risk of sequelae is also very low. Hearing this, I hugged lawyer Ly, both crying and laughing, like an idiot. In the days that followed, I hardly left the hospital room. I told her a story about when I was little. Read her the books she likes. Play the music you used to love. I told her that Tran Loi had been officially arrested, waiting for him would be a harsh sentence of the law. I told her that Lam Na had been sent to a mental hospital and could no longer go out and harm others for the rest of her life. I also said that the relatives who turned their backs on us called to apologize, but I blocked them all. I talk a lot. Talk until your voice is hoarse. Finally, on the fifth day after the incident. A beautiful sunny afternoon. I'm wiping your hands. Suddenly I felt a very light force... but clearly. It's you... holding my hand again. I was stunned. Raise your head. What met my eyes— were the eyes I had been waiting for for a year. Still gentle. Still bring a smile.

“Sister… sister-in-law?”

My voice trembled without making a sound. She can't speak. The body is still weak. Just nodded slightly. Then try to open your mouth. Use all your strength. Letting out a weak, hoarse sound—but enough to shake my whole world.

“Little… Hi…”

I rushed forward, held her hand tightly, tears flowing uncontrollably.

“Sister-in-law, it's me!”

“I'm always here!”

The sunlight poured in from the window. Covering the two of us. That long winter... is finally over. A new spring— Half a year later. Tran Loi's case was tried publicly. Full evidence, serious circumstances. He was sentenced to life in prison for intentionally committing an unsuccessful crime, adultery during marriage and illegal property transfer, and was stripped of his citizenship rights for life. On the day of sentencing, I didn't come. Lawyer Ly reported the conclusion fruit. I just nodded. Everything… was just as I expected. That is the price he must pay. As for those relatives—I never saw them again. It is said that the uncle and aunt could not bear the shock, after just one night their hair turned white, and left the city. They also have to pay the price... for their blindness and coldness. As for me and my sister-in-law— we sold our old house, which was filled with painful memories. Use the money she left behind to buy a small villa by the sea, with its own garden. She recovered very well. Under my care, she was able to get out of bed and practice walking step by step. Every day, I push her out into the garden to dry in the sun. We grow flowers together. Read books together. Let's bathe the Golden dog named "Lucky". We don't bring up the past. Don't mention the people or things that hurt you. become peaceful. One day, the weather was very beautiful. We sat on the swing in the garden, looking at the distant sea. I turned.

“Thank you.”

Her eyes sparkled like the sea.

“If it weren't for you... I probably would have died that winter.”

“Don't say that.”

I held her hand.

“We are family.”

“You protected me before.”

“Now… it's my turn to protect you.”

A gentle smile like the wind.

“Tieu Hi, look.”

She pointed to the horizon. I followed. A red sun was rising from the sea. The light dyed the sky red. Also dyed the sea surface red. A new day— And our new life... also begins from there.