Chapter 12 — Rain Stops, Heaven Clears

His eyes contained emotions that I couldn't understand. After the ceremony ended. I received a phone call from lawyer Vuong.

“General Manager To.”

“To Nhu just contacted me.”

“She wanted to donate that insurance policy to charity.”

I was a bit surprised.

“What did she say?”

“She said…”

“I don't deserve to be saved.”

Lawyer Vuong stopped for a moment. Then continue.

“She said this was a way to atone for her mother's sins.”

“She also looked up the terms of the insurance contract.”

“Compensation conditions are extremely strict.”

“There is a clause in there.”

“‘If the insured dies due to his or her own serious misconduct, the insurance company will not pay compensation.’”

“Her participation in the kidnapping and extortion case…”

“It is a serious violation.”

“So…”

“Even if she dies.”

“Luu Van also did not receive a single penny.”

“From the very beginning…”

“It was a trap.”

I hold the phone. Silence for a long time. Luu Van's calculation... Has penetrated to the bone marrow. Even his own daughter. She also planned to die.

“General Manager To.”

“Do we accept this gift?”

Lawyer Vuong asked.

“Use her name to create a separate support project.”

“Name it…”

‘Rebirth.’

After hanging up. I looked out the window. Admire the countless lights of the city. In my heart... I don't know what the feeling is. Used my own way. To complete my repentance. Also give yourself the final verdict on your life. I don't prevent it. Each person must be responsible for their own choices. She chose. The most painful path. To pay off the debt I caused. I haven't heard any more news about her. Until half a year later. Lawyer Vuong told me. Passed away quietly in a small motel room one morning. The cause is heart failure. She is very peaceful. Don't leave any last words. Just put one photo at the head of the bed. That was the only photo of the three of us together. In the photo. The two children that day smiled innocently and brightly. My father hugged them both. His eyes were filled with love. Luu Van has not appeared yet. We... Used to be a happy family. I asked lawyer Vuong. Buried her next to my father and mother. That's probably the best resting place for her. Dust will return to dust. All resentments. All disappear with the end of a human life. After everything is done. I rewarded myself with a long vacation. I sell a villa in the city. A place filled with painful memories. I don't want to set foot there again. I have traveled to many places. See the snowy mountains in Tibet. Listen to the wind blowing through Dali. Chasing the sunset in the Sahara desert. Feed the stray cats in this blue and white town on the Aegean coast. I turned off the phone. Completely cut off all ties with the past. I began to learn how to live for myself. I am no longer General Director To. No longer anyone's wife. She is no longer anyone's older sister. I'm just... An ordinary woman who loves life. On that journey. I meet all kinds of people. There is a wandering singer who carries a guitar around the world. There are office workers who give up high-paying jobs to go to the beach to open a motel. There are couples with hair Even though they are over seventy years old, they still hold hands and see the world. Their stories. Like each mirror. Let me see the countless different possibilities of life. I understand. Past hurts and betrayals. Not my whole life. They are just a section of raging rapids on the river of life. Get over it. Ahead will be high sky and wide sea. One year later. I returned to the small town in Jiangnan, where I was born. That place holds my most beautiful childhood memories. I use part of the recovered funds. Rented an old house located on the river bank. Renovated into a bookstore and cafe. Named...

“Love Garden.”

The bookstore is not big. But extremely cozy. Through the ground-level glass window. Weeping willows can be seen by the river. And the umbrella boats quietly move back and forth. My everyday life is very simple. Make coffee. Welcoming guests. Occasionally chat with travelers who stop by. Listen to them tell stories from all over the world. Never. My soul is so peaceful. I used to think. My life will continue to pass quietly like that. Until one day. A man entered the bookstore. He wore a simple white shirt. Black long pants. There is a faint scent of sunshine on your body. He ordered a latte. Then sat down at the table next to the window. Quietly read books.