Chapter 17 — My mother-in-law made a will to steal my property, leaving the whole family empty-handed

Each word fell... like a knife cutting. Chu Cam completely collapsed. The son she was most proud of, her only support... was now the one who stood up to accuse her. Her world... shattered. She fell to the ground, screaming. Ly Vy stood next to her, watching the scene of her mother and daughter turning away, so scared that she didn't dare to speak. She quietly returned to her room and closed the door. Then make a decision. Through that distant relative... she got my phone number. A very long message... was sent. In it, she cursed her mother for being stupid and blamed her brother for being useless. Then started begging me. Please lend me some money so she can leave that family and go to another city to start over. She promised... she would definitely pay later. I looked at that message... without any expression. Then press delete. Even… I don't feel the need to block. Because I know… That was the last time, I heard any news from that family. That family... is over. From the inside... completely collapsed. just the person who gently pushes down the first domino. Time passes like sand slipping through fingers, quietly but unable to hold on. In the blink of an eye... half a year has passed. During this half year, my world was strangely peaceful and filled with light. The new project at the company under my leadership is progressing extremely smoothly. Mr. Vuong increasingly respected me, even hinting at a big opportunity at the end of the year. As for life... The relationship between me and Tran Nham is gradually increasing. He finished the photography trip and returned to the city I live in. He said he wanted to organize a photo exhibition. Invite me out to eat, show me your works. Each photo... is full of vitality and a delicate sense of beauty. We talked about photography, about trips, about life. Being next to him, I feel so relieved and comfortable that I don't need to be on guard. You never asked about my past. But his eyes... seemed to understand everything. A kind of understanding that doesn't need to be said in words. Between adults… that is a very rare respect. I feel… a new door… is slowly opening before my eyes. As for the door named "Ly family"... was so covered in dust that... I almost forgot about it. Until… I got that call. Some are completely strange. I hesitated a bit, then picked up the phone. On the other end of the line was a weak, hoarse voice. No more screaming, no more anger. Only left... a hopeless emptiness.

“Hua Tinh… it's me.”

I didn't say anything, just listened quietly.

“Your mother… she had a stroke.”

His voice trembled.

"Hemiplegic... hospitalized... can't speak clearly."

“The doctor said…treatment and recovery will require a lot of money.”

“I… don't have any more money.”

“I borrowed all my loans… I lost my job… now I just deliver food for a living.”

"Ly Vy... left a month ago... can't be contacted."

He spoke, as if talking about the life of a stranger. Each story, one by one... unfolded before me. I remained silent. I can imagine… how they lived the past half year. The seeds of doubt in the company... finally germinated. Just a small financial mistake... Ly Hao was immediately placed under suspicion. Even though it was later proven unrelated... the company still used that as an excuse to fire him. He lost his last source of income. Chu Cam's debt... is like a hole bottomless. Swallow everything. Ly Vy's departure... was the final blow. As for Chu Cam's stroke... it was just the inevitable end of it all.

“Hua Tinh…”

His voice… finally carried a pleading tone.

“I know… I don't have the face to look for you anymore.”

“I know… my family is sorry for you.”

“But… I beg you, respect that we were once husband and wife.”

“Can you… lend me some money?”

“Consider… pitying you.”

“My mother… she really can't stand it anymore.”

“I promise… whatever you do in the future… I will definitely pay you back.”

He cried.