Chapter 10 — Live towards the light

Every word I said was like a sharp blade, piercing straight into Luu Ngoc Mai's heart. Her crazy face instantly froze. All the attempts, all the threats, in front of my phone lens, became ridiculous. Yes, she could die. But what happens when you die? What will happen to the son she loves the most? People will curse you. Will become a joke. Will live his whole life in the shadow of "pushing his biological mother to death". Compared to my own death... it's even more painful. She stared at the flashing red dot on my phone screen, as if seeing the door to hell. All my courage and madness... in that moment completely collapsed. Her legs were weak, she slid down from the railing, sitting on the balcony. A drama that took lives as a bet... officially ended. I turned off the recording. The living room returned to dead silence. I held Lac Lac's hand and walked in front of Co Thanh - who was still standing dumbfounded. I put a set of keys and a bank card in his hand. Those were the keys to our other house, and all the money really saved up.

“Co Thanh.”

I looked straight into his eyes, each word falling clearly.

“Now it's his turn to choose.”

“Stay here, continue to be a buffalo and a horse for his mother and his younger brother, and carry this mess.”

“Or come with me, with Lac Lac, to our house… start again.”

13 Choice Co Thanh's body was as stiff as a rock. He stood there, on one side was his wife and children holding his hand, on the other side was his mother who was threatening him with death. All sounds in the world seemed to disappear. He could only hear his heart beating rapidly. Along with screams like mother's curse. He turned his head. Seeing Luu Ngoc Mai's face distorted by madness. That face was once the warmest place in his childhood. But now… only greed, selfishness and madness remain. He saw his mother sitting on the balcony again, her resentful eyes seemed to swallow everything. He looked again at his younger brother Co Vi and Vuong Le standing in the corner. On their faces, there was not the slightest worry for their mother, only panic because their plan was revealed, and greed for money. They are like leeches clinging to this house, frantically sucking his and my blood dry. Finally, his eyes turned back to me. My eyes were very calm, not forcing, not urging. Just quietly waiting. Wait for him to make his own choice. I bent down to look at Lac Lac. The boy's small hand tightly grasped the hem of my shirt, his big eyes filled with insecurity and fear. But it didn't cry. It just clung to me with all its strength, as if I were its only support. Co Thanh's eyes stopped on his child's arm. Bright red scratches. Caused by his mother. Just to intimidate. This realization was like a red-hot iron rod, piercing his heart. The so-called filial piety he tried to keep, the so-called family he tried to protect... What did he get in return? In return for his wife's patience. Change your fear. In exchange for a distorted, sick family. His father's voice echoed in his head again.

"Tieu Nghien is a good daughter-in-law, you must treat her kindly, don't let her suffer."

He closed his eyes. A hot tear fell. He's wrong. Wrong from the start. Wrong to the point of being irreversible. When he opened his eyes again. All hesitation and tension have disappeared. Only unprecedented clarity and determination remained. He did not look at Luu Ngoc Mai again. He turned around, took the keys and bank card from my hand, clasped them in his palm. Then bent down and picked up Lac Lac carefully.

“Lac Lac, don't be afraid.”

His voice was hoarse but steady.

“Dad takes you and mom back to our house.”

Having finished speaking, he hugged the child and pulled my hand. Don't turn around. Go straight out the door. He used actions... to answer. Luu Ngoc Mai stood dumbfounded. She couldn't believe it. Her son, the son who always obeyed, actually dared to leave her behind.

“Co Thanh!”

She screamed and rushed to the door. But the door was locked by us from the outside. She frantically banged on the door.

“You ungrateful thing!”

“You come back for me!”

“Don't you dare, I'll pretend I never gave birth to you!”

"I curse you! I curse your whole family to die in peace!"

Evil curses penetrated through the door, chasing our footsteps. I stopped for a second. Turn your head to look at that door. Behind that door... is a deep abyss. And us. Finally managed to climb out. Co Thanh did not stop walking. Pull me into the elevator. The elevator door slowly closed. Block all the madness behind.