Chapter 8 — Live towards the light

I picked up the red book on the tea table along with the balance paper.

“Or, do as I said, branch family.”

“We got back the original 300,000 yuan deposit, along with the loan principal we had paid all these years, about 200,000 yuan, for a total of 500,000 yuan.”

“You guys write debt papers, we will move out immediately.”

“From now on, no one owes anyone anything.”

I stopped, my eyes turned cold.

“We'll meet in court.”

“I believe this recording and the capital contribution certificate are enough for the judge to determine who this house ultimately belongs to.”

“At that time, not only will you not be able to keep the money, but you may also incur additional charges of deception.”

My words were like the last straw, completely crushing Luu Ngoc Mai's psychological defense. She suddenly seemed crazy, screamed and rushed straight towards me.

“I risk my life for you!”

Her face was distorted fiercely, her target was not me, but the phone I was holding tightly.

"I broke it! I broke it!"

She knew clearly that that was her fatal weakness. 11 Broken family photo Luu Ngoc Mai's movements are as fast as a cheetah rushing towards its prey. A crazy light shot out of her eyes, the only target being the phone in my hand. Co Vi also had time to react and immediately went around to the other side.

“Give me the phone!”

He screamed, like a cornered wolf. As long as they destroy the evidence, they still have a chance to overturn it. In that moment, almost instinctively, I hugged the phone tightly to my chest. Lac Lac screamed and hugged my leg tightly. Just as Luu Ngoc Mai's dry, thin but strong hand was about to touch me, a figure suddenly rushed forward, blocking between us. It's Co Thanh.

"Mom! What are you doing!"

He used his own body to block Luu Ngoc Mai's attack. His voice carried unprecedented anger and determination. Luu Ngoc Mai didn't expect him to stop her, her whole body crashed into his back.

“Get away!”

She screamed, frantically punching his back.

"This whole house was destroyed by that woman! You even protected it!"

“Do you have to force me to die to agree to this?”

Seeing this, Co Vi also rushed forward and grabbed Co Thanh.

"You! Are you crazy? Get away!"

“Tell your sister-in-law to hand over the phone!”

The two brothers immediately struggled, almost rushing into each other. The living room was in complete chaos. Vuong Le hugged Co Tieu Bao, hid in the farthest corner, fearfully looking at the scene before her eyes, muttering continuously: "Don't fight anymore... don't fight anymore..." But she never stepped forward to stop him. Seeing that Luu Ngoc Mai couldn't get past Co Thanh, she immediately changed her target to Lac Lac standing behind me. She walked around the struggling brothers and grabbed the boy's arm.

"Tell your mom to give you the phone! Hurry up!"

She intended to use the child to pressure me.

“Let me go!”

Lac Lac was scared by her fierce face and tried to struggle. I saw her nails scratching through my child's tender arms, leaving bloody red marks. My blood seemed to boil.

“Let go of my son!”

I roared, using all my strength to push her away. Luu Ngoc Mai did not have time to react, her legs staggered back. Her back hit the family photo hanging on the wall. A deafening sound rang out. The family photo frame – which symbolizes so-called “harmony” – falls down land. The cold sound of glass breaking spread throughout the room. In the photo, everyone is smiling brightly. But now, those fake faces are torn apart by countless cracks. Just like this house. The living room momentarily fell into absolute silence. Everyone was stunned by that unexpected scene. Co Thanh and Co Vi stopped arguing. Luu Ngoc Mai fell to the ground, clutching her waist, unable to get up for a long time. Vuong Le's crying also suddenly stopped. All eyes turned to the pile of broken glass scattered on the floor. Broken... not just a photo. It is the last ray of hope in everyone's heart about the so-called "family". Co Thanh looked at the pile of debris on the ground, his eyes empty. He slowly let go of his brother's collar. Step by step, he walked in front of me, then squatted down. He did not look at me, nor did he look at his mother lying on the ground. His eyes stopped on Lac Lac's arm. The scratches were red and bleeding, drops of fresh blood seeping from the skin. Blinding and heartbreaking. He reached out, trembling, wanting to touch the wound, but didn't dare. In his eyes were pain, regret and self-blame welling up. Over the years, he has always thought that being patient and backing down is to preserve this house. But in the end, what he kept was just a false shell. As for his wife and children, they were completely injured in that shell. He finally understood. There are things that, once broken, will never heal again. He slowly raised his head and looked at me. That look in his eyes was a steadfastness that I had never seen before.

“Tieu Nghien.”

His voice was hoarse, but every word was clear.

“Let's go.”

Having finished speaking, he stood up, grabbed my hand and Lac Lac's hand. He didn't even turn his head to look back at his mother lying on the ground, nor did he look at his younger brother next to him. Just like that, pulling us step by step toward the door. Each step is heavy, but decisive. As if wanting to trample all the previous years of weakness and hesitation.

"Co Thanh! Stop!"

Luu Ngoc Mai finally crawled up, she screamed madly.

“If you dare step out of this door!”

“Then I... I'll jump down here!”

She rushed toward the balcony, one foot already on the railing. Using the most extreme method to save the last life-saving straw. All of our hearts immediately sank.