Chapter 9 — Life is Finally Gentle to Me

Finally…she agreed to go to a nursing home. We chose a facility in the suburbs for her, with a very good environment. There is a garden, private room, and professional care staff. The cost is not low. Lam Vi proactively accepted it all.

“That's a boy's responsibility.”

he said. The day we took her away, she almost said nothing. Until the procedure was finished and I was about to leave—she pulled my hand back. Dry, cold hands.

“To Nhien…”

Tears fell from her eyes. These three words…I've been waiting for three years. But when I actually heard it... there were no more waves in my heart.

“It's over.”

I spoke softly.

“Mom, take care of your health.”

On the way home, Lam Vi still held my hand. The sunset light through the glass window is strangely gentle.

“Nhan Nhien…”

He suddenly said.

“Let's… get married again.”

I stopped. We... have never been divorced. That piece of paper is just my choice. He seemed to understand my thoughts and smiled slightly.

“I mean… we take wedding photos again, redo a wedding.”

“There are only two people.”

“Going on a trip is like getting married again.”

“Because I want… to marry you again.”

He stopped the car on the side of the road and turned to look at me. His eyes were so sincere that he couldn't avoid them.

"Last time, the wedding was full of calculations, all arranged by my mother."

“This time… I want a wedding that belongs to just the two of us.”

“No one interfered.”

“Nien Nhien… do you agree… to marry me again?”

I looked at him. Then smile. Our “second” wedding…was held in Bali. No cumbersome rituals. No fake politeness. Just the two of us…and an endless blue sea. We rented a villa with an infinity pool. In the morning, wake up to the sound of birds, pull the curtains and see the sea stretching to the horizon. During the day, hold hands and walk around Ubud market, eat traditional duck dishes, and go up to the cliffs to watch the sunset. At night, take a dip in the pool, drink cool juice, and look at the starry sky. The day of the wedding photo shoot—I wore a white dress. Lam Vi wears a neat suit. In church, we exchanged rings and said our vows.

“To Nhien, I swear…”

“From today, I will use my whole life to love you, respect you, and protect you.”

“Whether poor or rich, healthy or sick…”

"I'm always with you, never leave."

His voice trembled slightly…but was steady. Tears welled up in my eyes. That moment—I finally believed…I had chosen the right person. The boy who once lost his way... has truly returned. After the trip, our lives were completely back on track. We build a home together. Let's choose the furniture together and decorate every little corner together. The house gradually became full of traces of the two people. Warm, and peaceful. Every weekend, we go to the nursing home to visit my mother-in-law. She spoke less and less. Most of the time just sitting quietly. Seeing us, she would smile lightly... then sink back into her own world. The doctor said, her brain had begun to slightly degenerate...irreversibly. Perhaps...for her, forgetting everything...is also a way to escape. Lam Duyet graduated and stayed in the city to work. She often comes over to eat and chat about work. The relationship between me and her... is becoming more and more like real sisters. A year later…I was pregnant. When the ultrasound confirmed it was twins—Lam Vi hugged me tightly, laughing and crying like a child.

“I'm going to be a dad… I'm going to be a dad…”

He stammered without forming a sentence. Parents I'm the happiest. Every day, I come by the house, bringing all kinds of supplements and baby items. This life... is finally gentle to me. Lam Vi completely transformed into a "model husband". He almost took care of everything in the house, changed the dishes he cooked for me every day, made sure I had enough nutrition, and patiently told stories before bed at night. One time, I woke up in the middle of the night. I saw him bowing his head, placing his ear on my stomach, whispering very softly.

"Be good children, don't make me tired."

“I tell you… your mother is the best, bravest woman in the world.”

"When you grow up, you must be filial to your mother and protect her... do you hear?"

In the dark…I smiled. But the corners of my eyes are wet. I placed my hand on my stomach, feeling the little life stirring gently. Inside... strangely peaceful. The family war that had exhausted me both physically and mentally—now, it felt like a distant dream. Waking up, even though there are still scars... but in return - there are more precious things. A truly mature husband. A family that is respectful and has boundaries. And a love... that seemed to be lost, has now returned. I finally understand—marriage is not one-sided forbearance. It's a journey where two people grow up together and preserve it together. Face injustice, dare to stand up and protest—not to hurt anyone. It's to protect yourself. Protect the happiness and self-esteem you deserve. There are times when…you have to become an “untouchable” woman. Then life... begins to be gentle to you.