Chapter 9 — My Sister-in-law Secretly Stole My Dowry To Buy A Luxury Car

“You are gone.” I looked at him, my eyes cold, "And you pushed me away."

“I regret…”

“Regret doesn't work.” I picked up my bag, "Time's up, I'm leaving."

“Vu Dong!” he was about to give chase.

I turned around, my eyes sharp as knives: "Ly Tuan Hoa, if you continue to bother me, I will report to the police." He stood dumbfounded. I looked at him for a moment, my voice suddenly lowered: "We truly loved each other. For the last bit of respect, let's end it properly." Having finished speaking, I turned around and left. He stood in the middle of the cafe, watching my shadow blend into the night. He knew, this time it was really over. Totally over. The woman who once loved him the most, had completely let go. And all of it... was lost by him. That night, returning to the empty rented room, he sat alone on the sofa, his eyes uncertain. The phone rang, it was Ly Tam Duyet calling.

"Brother, where are you? Mom told me to come home for dinner."

“I'm not coming back.”

"What's wrong? Are you still angry with me?"

He smiled bitterly: "Tam Duyet, I'm not angry with you."

"So why did you move out? Mom said you were because of your sister-in-law..."

“She is no longer my sister-in-law.” he interrupted, “We are divorced.”

The other end of the line was silent for a moment.

“I… sorry, it's all your fault.”

“It's not entirely my fault.” he said wearily, “It's our whole family's problem.”

"What do you mean?"

“We are too selfish, only thinking about the people in our family, without thinking about the feelings of others.”

Ly Tam Duyet asked softly: "But... Vu Dong is also a family member, right?"

“In everyone's hearts, is she family?” he asked again, "When you took her money, did you consider her family? When your mother protected you, did you consider her family?"

She was silent.

“We all consider her an outsider, someone who can suffer losses.” his voice cracked, “So she left, and never came back.”

"I... I really know I was wrong, can I go and apologize to her?"

“It's too late.” he shook his head, "There are injuries that cannot be compensated for."

Hanging up, he looked out the window at the dark night sky. There's only one feeling left in my heart... regret for being late. If he could turn back time, he would definitely make a different choice. But unfortunately, life has no turning back button. Missing is missing, lost is lost. A year later, I met a man through a friend's introduction. His name is Tran Hao, architect, thirty years old, single. Unlike Ly Tuan Hoa, he lives independently, separate from his family, and has clear opinions. Most importantly, he knows how to respect women and protect the ones he loves. We have known each other for half a year, our relationship is stable and warm. Then one day, he knelt down in front of me.

“Vu Dong, please marry me.”

He opened the ring box, his eyes were so sincere that it made my heart tremble. I looked at the man in front of me, feeling both touched and a little hesitant.

“Tran Hao… I need time to think.”

“Why think?” he gently asked, “Is it because I didn't do it well enough?”

“No, you're very good.” I shook my head, “It's my problem.”

“What's the problem?”

I sat down and looked straight at him: "If one day your family and I have a conflict, whose side will you be on?" He thought for a moment and then replied: "You have to see whether it's right or wrong. If you're wrong, I'll let you apologize." If they are wrong, I will let them apologize.”

“So what if your sister takes my money?”

“Get money?” He frowned, "Then report it to the police, that's against the law."

“Even though she is your sister?”

“Before the law, everyone is the same.” he said very firmly, “And I won't let anyone hurt my wife, not even relatives.”

My eyes suddenly became wet. This is the answer I've been waiting for.

“Tran Hao... I agree.”

He hugged me tightly, as if afraid I would disappear. I know, this time I made the right choice. Someone who truly understands what it is to love and protect. On the other side, Ly Tuan Hoa still lives in torment. Ly Tam Duyet had a job, but because of the stain on her record, the job was not very good. She began to complain: “It's all her fault! If I hadn't called the police, I wouldn't have ended up like this!” The mother-in-law also kept complaining: "That woman is really cruel!" Because of money, you ruined Tam Duyet's future!” Only Ly Tuan Hoa clearly understood that everything was caused by them themselves.

“Enough!” he finally exploded, “How long are you going to blame?”

Mother and son were startled.

“The story of Tam Duyet taking money is true! Vu Dong reported it to the police correctly! Why don't people admit their mistakes?

“Are you defending outsiders?” mother-in-law was upset, "She's your sister!"

“Yes, it's my sister.” his eyes turned red, “But wrong is still wrong! It's because of everyone's way of thinking that I lost Vu Dong!”

“If you lose, you lose!” Ly Tam Duyet argued, "She's so cruel, it's okay if she doesn't need it!"

Ly Tuan Hoa looked at his sister, only remaining disappointed: "Even now I still don't understand where I went wrong."

“Where am I wrong? I just borrowed money!”