Chapter 15 — Nine Months Post-Divorce

Ten minutes later, Ting arrived at the hospital room. He finished examining the piece of paper, his brow furrowing slightly.

You cannot leave.

I nodded.

I know.

She did not need to see me, but wanted me to leave the room.

Ting glanced at Yi sleeping soundly inside the incubator.

I will have the hospital step up security monitoring for this entire floor.

I replied.

We also need to find out who delivered this note.

The nurse immediately went in search of a janitor. Before long, a cleaning woman was led in. She was so nervous that her hands kept rubbing back and forth against her apron.

I truly have no idea who left that there.

At a little past six this morning, when I was pushing my cleaning cart through here, I already saw the envelope lying right by the door.

Ting questioned her.

Did any outsiders come up to this floor this morning?

The janitor paused to think for a moment.

There was a flower deliveryman.

He was wearing a cap and a face mask, claiming he was dropping off well wishes for the new mother.

I even thought it was rather strange, delivering flowers at such an ungodly hour.

The nurse’s expression shifted instantly.

There were no flower deliveries registered for today.

Ting immediately requested the hospital to pull the surveillance footage. The video clips were retrieved very quickly. On the screen, the deliveryman was seen with his head bowed down, his figure tall and lean. He did not step inside the room. As he walked past the doorway, he simply slipped the envelope through the crack of the door. Nguien had also arrived by then. He stood right outside the threshold, his face darkening the moment he laid eyes on the footage.

This person is not Jui.

Ting asked.

Do you recognize him?

Nguien stared intently at the monitor, remaining silent for a few seconds before speaking.

I cannot be entirely sure.

It looks very much like the driver my mother used to employ, Uncle Tran.

I raised my eyes to look at him.

Is your mother not currently cooperating with the police investigation?

Nguien’s voice grew tense.

She is still capable of communicating with people on the outside.

As soon as those words fell, the hallway lapsed into a heavy silence. Everyone understood that this matter was far from over. Just because Flora had been taken away did not mean the vast web of connections she controlled had been severed. Having managed the household for so many years, she would certainly have more than just a single tablet. By eight o'clock in the evening, the garden at the back of the hospital remained brightly lit as usual. I did not go down. Ting went instead. Before leaving, he switched on a voice recorder he kept on his person. Hospital guards stood on watch not far away. Nguien had originally intended to go as well. Ting stopped him in his tracks.

If you show up, Jui will only become harder to control.

Nguien remained silent for a long time, ultimately choosing to stay outside the hospital room. He did not step inside, opting instead to sit alone on the bench in the corridor, his posture rigid and tense. At three minutes past eight, Ting called my phone. After I pressed answer, he did not speak right away. The sound of rushing wind drifted from the other end of the line, accompanied by faint, hurried footsteps. Then, an unfamiliar male voice rang out.

Attorney Ting?

Ting’s voice remained calm.

Was it you who sent the letter?

The person on the other end chuckled softly.

I am merely passing along a message on behalf of someone else.

Where is Lana?

Ting demanded.

She has just given birth, she will not be coming.

The man fell silent for a brief moment.

Then let her listen.

The next second, the voice on the other end switched to that of Jui. It sounded as though she were in a different, more open space, her voice carrying a faint echo.

Lana, you really are cautious, aren't you?

I leaned back against the pillows, my tone flat and detached.

Having been stabbed in the back by people like you, naturally I have to learn my lesson for life.

Jui gave a light, mocking laugh.

Do you really think that discovering the signature page means you have won?

Do you know why that blank authorization form ended up tucked right inside the folder Nguien brought home?

My fingers tightened around the blanket. Outside in the hallway, Nguien jerked upright from the bench. Jui continued speaking.

Because that very night, Nguien himself said out loud, telling you to sign whatever could be signed.

He said he did not have the time to waste sparring with you.

He said you would not understand any of it anyway.

Out in the corridor, Nguien’s face turned completely pale. I did not look at him. I simply asked.

Do you have proof?

Jui’s voice suddenly turned cheerful.

Of course I do.

Not only did I capture it on video, but I recorded the audio as well.

Lana, you want to throw Flora in prison, that is fine by you.

But do not forget, the person who actually handed you the knife was Nguien.

The moment she finished speaking, a segment of audio playback was transmitted from the other end. Nguien’s tired and impatient voice echoed through the speaker.

If she wants to sign it, just let her sign.

A blank piece of paper is fine too.

I have a meeting tomorrow, do not bother me with these trivial matters.

I closed my eyes. In that instant, I felt no pain. Only coldness. It turned out that many wounds do not necessarily stem from elaborate, meticulous schemes. They can just as easily come from a careless, casual dismissal. After the recording ended, Jui whispered softly.

Lana, do you still dare to let him be the father of that child now?

Before I could open my mouth, a sudden commotion erupted from the other end of the line. Ting shouted in a stern voice.

Stop right there!

Immediately after, the flustered voice of the man rang out.

I have already delivered what you wanted, do not come looking for me!

Before the call was forcefully disconnected, I heard Jui’s final parting words.

At nine o'clock tomorrow morning, I will release the complete set of audio files.