Chapter 11 — My Parents Lived in AA for 45 Years

He originally thought. Inside will be complaints. Or lines of blame. The first page is just writing. Get married today. I hope my little family will be very happy. Dad stopped. He turned to the next page. Today he has a fever. I took time off from work to take care of myself. Another page. He signed his first contract. Tonight, cook more of your favorite dishes. Another page. Today the company lost money. Don't let me know I sold my wedding gold. You will feel guilty. Dad's hands started shaking. He flipped faster. Today Niem Niem learned to walk. He was busy in a meeting so he couldn't come back in time. I recorded a video to show you tonight. Today he drank a lot. Your head will hurt. Remember to cook hangover soup tomorrow. Today is your birthday. I forgot. I didn't mention it, I just hope you have a good meal. There was not a single word of reproach. There is not a single line of resentment. The entire notebook. These are all things my mother silently recorded. Dad read more. Tears fell more. He suddenly stopped at a bookmarked page. That was the year the company overcame the crisis. He's already laughing. That's good. As long as you keep smiling, everything I do is worth it. Dad covered his face. Shoulders trembled violently. For the first time in my life. I saw that always arrogant man crying. He choked up.

“Why didn't you say anything?”

Mom smiled.

“Speaking for what?”

“If you say it, then do it.”

“That's a credit.”

“Just want the whole family to be safe.”

The whole room fell into silence. I couldn't hold back my tears either. The most painful thing. It's not about how much hardship the mother endured. But for forty-five years. She never considered those sacrifices as merit. Dad slowly closed the notebook. He stood up. Before my surprised eyes. The man had been arrogant all his life. Slowly kneel down in front of your mother.

“It's really wrong…”

His tears fell onto the tile floor.

“For decades now…”

“I never understood you.”

I clenched my fist. There was no joy in my heart. Just feel choked. Mom looked at the man kneeling in front of her for a long time. Her eyes were no longer angry. No more resentment. Only calmness remains after letting go of everything. A moment later. She slowly stood up. Go in front of dad. I held my breath. I thought my mother would help him up. Or forgive. But no. Mom just looked at him for a long time and then spoke softly.

“Want my forgiveness.”

“But before we talk about us…”

“Forty-five years.”

“You still owe a lot of people an apology.”

Dad raised his head. Surprise appeared in his red eyes.

“Who else…?”

Mom gently closed the notebook.

“Owe my daughter.”

“I owe it to my parents.”

“Debt to the people who built the company with him.”

“You yourself.”

“When will you truly understand what you have lost?”

“Let's continue talking.”

Outside the window. The early summer rains fell quietly. It was like washing away a layer of dust that had covered forty-five years. But both my father and I understand. That's just the beginning. After that night, dad did not appear again. He didn't call. No texting. Didn't come to see my mother either. I used to think, maybe he was just temporarily emotional. Like so many times before. But this time. I was wrong. One week later. On the city's financial news, a shocking news appeared. Chairman Tran Kien Quoc proactively resigned from all positions at Tran Thi Group. Not long after. The company's official website posted an apology letter. Signer. In the letter, he openly admitted that during the process of starting a business, he received great help from his wife, Mrs. Lam Van, and his maternal family. He apologized for letting that sacrifice be forgotten for forty-five years. There is also a sentence at the end of the letter.

"The greatest success in my life is not building a company, but having a wife willing to accompany me. The most unfortunate thing is that I realized it too late."

The article was posted less than an hour ago and has already spread everywhere. Many people who worked with my father in the past left comments.

“Finally tell the truth.”

"I used to work at the old factory. It's true that Ms. Lam stayed up many nights recording books."

“I still remember her selling her wedding gold to save the company.”

Some people even repost old photos. Mother wore a faded shirt, sitting under the light taking notes. Behind him is dad discussing business with customers. How many years have passed? People only see the person standing in front. Only today did I know. The person standing behind is the one who supports everything.