Chapter 3 — Once I don't hold back, your whole family has to pay the price

"Release Chu Dong. That 30,000 yuan... is considered erased."

"From now on, the resentment between you and Chu Dong... has nothing to do with my family."

"I'll give you ten minutes to think. Otherwise... you'll have to bear the consequences."

After speaking, I didn't give him a chance to respond and directly hung up. The whole living room... was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. Chu Minh stood there, looking at me like I was a complete stranger. His mouth opened, speechless. In those eyes— there was fear, and… an emotion that he couldn't even name. Chu Minh's eyes looking at me... completely changed, they were the eyes looking at a stranger, mixed with scrutiny and shyness. He had never seen me like this, coldly calm, sharp as a knife, and also carrying pressure that made others not dare to resist. Compared to the gentle, patient, even somewhat weak wife in his memories... I am now like a completely different person.

“Thu Thu, I…”

He wanted to ask something, but didn't know where to start, ask why I knew about Mr. Leopard, or ask why I had such a strong side. I didn't give him a chance to speak, just looked straight at him, my eyes so cold that it made it hard to breathe.

“Chu Minh, you are very surprised, right?”

He instinctively nodded.

“You think I will be like before, crying and begging you to go save my sister, then take all the money in the house, even the money to save my father's life, to fill the hole she dug.”

Every word I said was like a needle, slowly piercing his heart. He turned pale, his lips trembled, he couldn't say anything. Because… that's what he thought.

“You always thought I was generous, right?”

I laughed softly, but in that smile... it was full of bitterness.

“That's not being generous, Chu Minh, that's because I love you.”

"Because I love you, I accept to love your whole family, even though they hurt me time and time again."

"Because I love you, I forced myself to endure and preserve what you call a 'peaceful family'."

“But now, that feeling… has been completely eroded by you guys.”

My eyes left him and looked out the window, where the sky was starting to get darker. The house I lived in for three years... in this moment felt strange and scary.

“You never really understood me.”

"You don't know that I studied law and was once a city-level debate champion."

"You don't know, I chose to be a normal office worker... just to have time to take care of this family."

"I don't even know... I once gave up the opportunity to join a top law firm in the country... just because of you."

I have never said these things. I used to think... loving someone is giving quietly, without needing anything in return. But it turns out, I was wrong. My sacrifice… in the eyes of him and his family, was only obvious. My patience... in return was not understanding, but more and more pressure. Chu Minh stood there, listening to each sentence, his expression from shock turned to pain, then gradually turned into regret. He finally realized… how he lost a wife. He reached out to me, his voice hoarse.

“Thu Thu… sorry… I was wrong… can we start again?”

At that moment, there was a loud banging sound outside the door.

“Open the door! Lam Thu, you bastard, open the door go out!"

“Chu Minh! Open! Do you really want to see your sister die!”

Mother-in-law... finally came. Chu Minh felt like he was burned and immediately withdrew his hand. He looked towards the door, his face showing the familiar hesitation again. As for me... there was no longer any ripples. I walked to the door, without hesitation, pulled it straight out. The mother-in-law was raising her hand, preparing to continue pounding, when the door suddenly opened, causing her to stop. Immediately after that, her face immediately contorted with anger, raised her hand and rushed straight towards me.

“I'll beat you to death, comet! You harm people!”

I don't dodge. Right at the moment her hand was about to touch me, my wrist rotated, precisely holding her hand. I've studied self-defense for several years, and dealing with a middle-aged woman who doesn't practice... is too easy. She struggled several times, but could not escape, her face was both scared and angry.

“You… you let me go!”

I let go, the force wasn't great, but it still made her stumble back two steps. I looked at her, every word cold as ice.

“Mom, Chu Dong is about to be released.”

She froze, not understanding what I was saying.

“Don't worry, Mom, she won't lose a finger.”

“But from today onwards… everything about the Chu family… no longer has anything to do with me.”

I turned around, picked up the backup divorce copy on the tea table, walked in front of Chu Minh, and put down a pen.

“Sign it.”

My voice wasn't loud, but it was so decisive that it didn't allow for refusal. The mother-in-law then understood, looked at the agreement, and screamed loudly.

“Divorce? Dream away! My son will never divorce you! For the rest of your life, you must be a buffalo and a horse for the Chu family!”

I didn't pay attention, just quietly looked at Chu Minh. Looking at the man in front of him... tears mixed with regret. He looked at me, then at the agreement, his eyes fiercely torn.

“Thu Thu… give me one more chance…”

“There is no more chance, Chu Minh.”

I interrupted.

“From the moment you said… keep my dad waiting… it was over between us.”

That sentence... became the final knife. Chu Minh's eyes... completely turned off. He knew... everything was irreversible. His hands trembled… he took the pen.