Chapter 5 — One Card, Exposing the Whole Family

My words were like a thunderclap in the living room. Luu Mai's face turned pale. She couldn't bear that crime. Ly Manh was so scared that he hid behind his brother, without any arrogance left. Ly Hao stared at me, his eyes bloodshot as if he had never recognized the person in front of him. In those eyes there was surprise, anger, and even a little fear. On the phone, the operator's voice rang again.

“Hello, do you need any assistance? Please indicate your location.”

The air was tense to the extreme. All eyes were focused on the phone in my hand. Ly Hao's chest rose and fell violently, his lips moved as if he wanted to say something but in the end he didn't dare. Under the pressure of 110, he still lost.

“You're doing great!”

He gritted his teeth and said. Then he turned around and pulled his mother and sister.

“Mom, Tieu Manh, go!”

Liu Mai still couldn't bear it, being dragged away she still didn't forget to curse.

"It's all chaos! Marrying the kind of woman who destroys the house!"

"You ungrateful thing! Just wait!"

I stood there, coldly looking at them like three panicked animals chased out of their territory. The door slammed shut. A "bang" sounded. The world… is finally quiet. I let out a long breath, feeling like all my strength was drained away. I turned off the phone, fell down on the sofa, the house was so large and quiet that I could clearly hear each beat of my own heart. These seven days were like a wild dream. When I woke up, I was left with only a mess and a cold heart. I don't cry, because I know this is not the time to be weak. I took the phone and called my dad. The call rang once and was picked up.

“Nhuoc Nhien.”

His voice was still calm and steady, carrying a feeling of peace of mind that made people want to rely on him. With just that one call, all my resilient shell collapsed in an instant. The bridge of my nose stung and I couldn't hold back my tears anymore. My voice choked.

“I… seems to have ruined everything.”

The other side was silent for a few seconds, then Dad's voice softened, not blaming, only sorrow.

“Go home, Nhuoc Nhien.”

“Our door is always open for you.”

Just that simple sentence made me cry harder. I told everything, from the wedding night when Ly Hao probed, to the drama at 4S, to the recent confrontation, every detail was not hidden. My father listened silently to everything, without interrupting. Waiting for me to finish speaking, he slowly spoke up.

“Nhuoc Nhien, you did the right thing.”

"The money I give you is not so that you can bear the pain, but so that when you see clearly a person, a family, you have the courage and ability to leave."

“Now I see clearly, it's not too late, this is a good thing.”

Those words were like a medicine, gradually calming my troubled mind.

“So… what should I do next?”

“Don't think about anything, go home first.”

“Pack up your belongings, important documents, precious dowry, take everything with you.”

“Dad told your brother to drive to pick him up right away.”

"The rest, go home and figure it out."

I turned off the phone, wiped my tears, and stood up. Yes, go home. This place is not my home. I went into the bedroom, pulled out the prepared suitcase, and started packing my things. Clothes, books, cosmetics, and even ransacked dowries are still lying around. While cleaning, my phone vibrated again, it was a text message from Ly Hao, dozens of them. At first it was questioning and cursing.

“Tu Nhuoc Nhien, are you crazy, you still dare to call the police!”

“You made my family lose face nose!"

“You must be blind to marry me!”

I passed by, emotionless. Towards the end, his tone softened and began to appeal to emotions.

“Wife, I was wrong. Mom forced me just now.”

“Don't be angry anymore, can you go home?”

"If you've just gotten married, it's not good to make such a big deal out of it."

“It would be embarrassing for my parents to know.”

Up to this point, what he cares about is still just cheap dignity. I laughed coldly, did not answer, directly blocked all contact with him, Luu Mai and Ly Manh. Then, I played back the video I recorded before the wedding, when my dad gave me the card in the study. In the video, he seriously gives instructions, every word is clear.

"Remember, money is dead, people are alive... that gives you the right to say no, to turn around and leave at any time."

Looking at that face, my eyes became wet again. I saved the video carefully. This will be one of the most important pieces of evidence, proving that the money is personal property given to me by my father. After packing up the last suitcase, the doorbell rang. I know, my brother has arrived. I dragged two large suitcases to the door and opened them. Outside the door is my brother, Tu Lang, tall and sharp-faced. He saw my red eyes and the pile of luggage at my feet, his eyes immediately turned cold.

“That guy bullied you?”

I shook my head, trying to smile.

“Brother, let's go home.”