Chapter 24 — Love Awakens After Leaving

The Light Behind The Door

During the year since the truth was revealed to the entire family, Tuyet Nhi's life had changed in a way that she herself could hardly have fully imagined during the nights she was sitting next to the washing basin in the backyard. She was officially appointed to the position of executive director of strategic development of Doan Gia Group, not thanks to her relationship with Bach Vu, but because of her excellent ability that she had proven through many important projects, including rebuilding the group's risk management system after a valuable lesson from the Tong family's conspiracy.

Mrs. Lanh, after many months of persuasion, finally agreed to rest, no longer having to take on the heavy housekeeping work as before, although she still regularly visited the kitchen to cook a few familiar dishes for the whole family, not because of responsibility, but simply because of the joy of taking care of the people she loves.

One year later, the Doan family mansion put on an unprecedentedly brilliant appearance, with fresh flowers decorating all the walkways, silk lanterns hanging along the rows of ancient trees, and a small orchestra playing melodious melodies to welcome today's distinguished guest. This was the official wedding day of Doan Bach Vu and Vu Tuyet Nhi, an event that the entire Hanoi elite had been eagerly waiting for many months since their touching love story was made public.

In the dressing room in the main house, Tuyet Nhi stood in front of the mirror, wearing a tailor-made pure white wedding dress, completely different from the elaborate, brilliant designs that Van Khanh had previously requested. Her dress had a minimalist, elegant style, exactly like the aesthetic that she knew Bach Vu loves, chosen by herself after many months of careful consideration.

"You are very beautiful, Tuyet Nhi." Mrs. Lanh stood behind her daughter, her hands gently adjusting each fold of the dress, her voice choked with emotion. "I never dared to think that one day I would see you wearing a beautiful wedding dress like this, and you would also be the official bride of the government that raised you."

"It's all thanks to mom." Tuyet Nhi turned around and hugged her mother, careful not to wrinkle her dress. "If it weren't for my mother who taught and protected me over the years, I wouldn't be where I am today."

Bich Ngoc, who had now become one of Tuyet Nhi's closest friends, was busy helping her fix her hair, unable to hide her bright smile. "Miss Nhi, boss Vu is waiting in the main lobby. He looks more nervous than in the most important board meetings."

Tuyet Nhi laughed, a feeling of nervousness mixed with happiness welled up in her heart, the whole small dressing room was filled with the bustling laughter of the closest women in her life, a warm scene that she had never dared to imagine she would have on the most important day of her life. She looked at herself in the mirror one last time, recalling the image of the girl who once stood in front of the small mirror in the simple backroom, wearing a simple rough cloth shirt, carrying in her heart a silent love that she did not dare to reveal. Now, the image reflected in the mirror was a radiant, confident bride, preparing to enter a new chapter of her life, no longer having to hide or fear anything.

The wedding ceremony took place in the same garden where the two had so many childhood memories, which had now been renovated into a beautiful event space but still retained the old trees and the corner of the flower garden where the vicious dog incident happened last year. A large flower gate was built right at the entrance to the garden, made from hundreds of white and light blue flowers, creating a scene that was both romantic and intimate, completely different from the lavishness that the engagement ceremony with Van Khanh had previously planned to hold. Bach Vu stood waiting at the end of the aisle covered with flower petals, in an elegant white suit, his eyes never leaving the figure of Tuyet Nhi walking step by step, holding the arm of Mr. Chi Kien - who offered to hand her over to his son on his behalf, as a way to show full recognition for the daughter-in-law of whom he was extremely proud.

"I entrust my daughter to you, Bach Vu." Mr. Chi Kien said, his voice was both solemn and filled with affection, as he placed Tuyet Nhi's hand in his son's hand. "Remember to cherish and protect it well, just like what it has silently done for our family over the years."

"I promise, father." Bach Vu replied, squeezing Tuyet Nhi's hand, his eyes filled with love and deep respect, then they both walked up to the ceremony podium amid applause and blessings echoing throughout the garden.

The ceremony took place in a warm, emotional atmosphere, with the witness of many members of both families, colleagues, friends, and even maids in the mansion - those who had silently followed and supported their love story over the years. The elderly cousin who once gave Tuyet Nhi a family heirloom jade bracelet sat in the front row, occasionally using her handkerchief to gently dab the corner of her eyes, unable to hide her emotion at the complete happiness of the couple whom she considered as her own descendants in the family. Duc Long stood as the best man, and Bich Ngoc was the maid of honor. Both could not hide their happiness when witnessing the results of an arduous journey but finally had a perfect ending.

After the ceremony, when the sunset gradually fell, dyeing the whole garden a warm orange color, Tuyet Nhi and Bach Vu separated from the crowd of guests for a moment, standing side by side in the familiar corner of the flower garden, a place that held so many memories of both from childhood to the present.

"Do you remember the small room in the back yard?" Bach Vu asked, his arm gently wrapped around her shoulder.

"How could you forget?" Tuyet Nhi smiled, her eyes looking far away towards the backyard, which had now been renovated into a much more spacious common living space for the remaining maids in the mansion. "That's where I lived for twenty-six years of my life, where I learned what patience is, what silent love is without asking for anything in return."

"I'm sorry for making you suffer in the dark for so long." Bach Vu said, his voice still had a bit of torment even though everything was over.

"Stop apologizing." Tuyet Nhi shook her head and turned to look at him with eyes full of happiness. "It was those years that shaped me into the person I am today. And most importantly, I was finally able to walk out that door, not alone, but with you."

Bach Vu suddenly laughed softly, as if he had just remembered something he had forgotten for a long time. "Do you remember what I promised you when I was little? That if I really became a pilot in the future, I would take you everywhere without paying a dime for the fare, because you are my best friend."

"Do you even remember that?" Tuyet Nhi laughed, her eyes shining with surprise mixed with emotion.

"I can't be a pilot," Bach Vu said, squeezing her hand tighter, "but I can still keep the second half of that promise. This honeymoon, I will take you wherever you want, without missing a spot, as if paying off the plane ticket debt from twenty years ago."

Tuyet Nhi laughed out loud, leaning her head on his shoulder, feeling strangely warm at a childish promise that was finally remembered and kept by the person who made it.

Bach Vu bent down, placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, then looked towards the brightly lit mansion in the distance, where there was once a girl who had to live two separate lives, now officially becoming the new female owner, standing firmly next to the man she loved for twenty years, no longer any door separating them.

"From today," he whispered, his voice filled with love, "we will continue to write our story together, in the light, without having to hide or fear anything, forever and ever."

Tuyet Nhi leaned her head on his shoulder, watching the last sunset disappear behind the rows of ancient trees that had witnessed their entire story, from their innocent childhood days, through the years of hiding their love in silence, to today's moment of perfect happiness.

In the distance, the evening music still echoed loudly, the laughter of the guests mixed with the scent of flowers and grass in the cool autumn evening air. Bich Ngoc and Duc Long, standing not far away, were also chatting happily, occasionally glancing at the newlywed couple with affectionate eyes. Mrs. Lanh stood next to Mr. Chi Kien, both of them were attentively watching their children, their eyes filled with pride and satisfaction before a long journey had come to a perfect end.

The backyard door, where her secrets and tears were kept for twenty-six years, was now forever behind, making way for an open future, filled with light and sincere love. And in that peaceful moment, in the middle of the garden that witnessed both the pain and happiness of two people, Tuyet Nhi knew that, although the story ahead still had many unknowns, she would never have to walk through it alone in the dark again.