Chapter 24 — Reborn: This Hell Is Mine

Fateful Day, Now A Happy Day

Three years after her rebirth, on the day of the Ánh Dương Foundation's annual charity party - the day, in her previous life, Ý Vy first met Chung Bách Nguyên, and also the starting point for the entire chain of events leading to her death - Kim Cương Hotel once again lit up, preparing for this year's party.

But this time, the atmosphere was completely different. There was no longer the underlying tension of someone carrying the memory of an impending tragedy, no more watchful eyes. Only the pure joy of an annual charity event remained, organized by people who had overcome a long and challenging journey together.

Ý Vy stood in the middle of the main hall, wearing a light yellow evening gown, personally supervising the final decoration - not as a design expert of a small company like three years ago, but as a member of the advisory council of the Ánh Dương Fund itself, who has contributed significantly to expanding the scale and influence of the fund over the past time.

"Everything is perfect," Bách Nguyên said as he walked next to his wife, put his arm around her waist, and looked at the space delicately decorated with thousands of phalaenopsis orchids and warm yellow lights. "Exactly the same way you did three years ago."

"It's not exactly the same," Ý Vy replied, smiling mysteriously. "This time I added some new details."

She pointed to a corner of the lobby, where there was a large photo of Ms. Ninh Diễm Thu, decorated with the white chrysanthemums she loved during her lifetime, along with a small plaque recording her contributions to hundreds of orphans over many generations. This is the first year the foundation has organized such a solemn memorial area, at the suggestion of Ý Vy herself.

The party took place warmly, filled with laughter. Ms. Dieu, now older but still alert, stood up to speak, thanking all the benefactors who had accompanied the fund over the past year, especially mentioning Ý Vy's contributions in building a new psychological support program for children at the orphanage.

"Three years ago, in this very room, I introduced a young girl to another young man, not knowing that I was destined for one of the most memorable stories our foundation has ever witnessed," Ms. Dieu said, her voice filled with emotion, her eyes directed towards Ý Vy and Bách Nguyên standing next to each other. "I believe, Mrs. Diễm Thu, even though she is no longer here, is still smiling when she sees her adopted daughter as happy as today."

Applause echoed throughout the banquet hall. Some older guests, who had witnessed Ý Vy's story through the press, could not hide their emotions, some even quickly wiped away their tears. Some young businessmen, attending the fund's event for the first time, curiously asked those around them about the dramatic story behind the couple shining in the banquet hall, and received admiring answers about the extraordinary bravery of the woman who faced a sinister plot alone to protect what she loved.

Standing in the crowd, Bích Ngọc quietly looked at her friend under the warm yellow light, with an indescribable pride rising in her heart. She remembered the first day she met Ý Vy at the small design company in the past, remembered the many nights they both stayed up late completing drawings for customers, and now, looking at her friend standing in the middle of a luxurious banquet hall, respected by everyone not only because of her status, but because of the personality and bravery she had proven through challenges, Bích Ngọc felt like she was also reliving a part of that proud journey.

While everyone was interacting, Ý Vy's phone vibrated. She opened it and saw a text message from an unknown number, accompanied by a brief introduction from the prison warden confirming the sender's identity.

"Sister, today is the anniversary of the old party, right? I remember you telling me about this day when we were kids, even though I didn't know its true meaning at the time. I'm trying every day. Last week I completed my first psychology course, and the doctor said I've made significant progress in identifying and handling my emotions. I don't dare hope for your forgiveness, but I want you to know that I'm really trying to change, not to please anyone, but because I want to be a better person when I get out of prison. Wishing you and Mr. Bách Nguyên a very happy party. — Tuệ Nghi."

Ý Vy read the message, her eyes stinging but a gentle smile appeared at the corner of her lips. She typed back a short line: "Thank you for sharing. I believe you can do it. Try your best." She put her phone in her small bag, took a deep breath, let her emotions calm down before returning to the party.

Bách Nguyên, noticing the fleeting emotion on his wife's face, gently asked. "Tuệ Nghi texted you?"

Ý Vy nodded. "She's really trying to change. Maybe, one day, when she gets out of prison, we will have a chance to talk again from the beginning, not as people of the past, but as people who have learned how to grow from their mistakes."

"I believe you will know how to handle that when the time comes," Bách Nguyên said, squeezing his wife's hand. "But tonight, let's put all that aside. Tonight is to enjoy our happiness." Ý Vy smiled and nodded in agreement. She looked around the banquet hall, saw Bích Ngọc chatting happily with Phó Nhật Khang in a corner, saw Mr. Son standing quietly watching from afar as if it were an ingrained professional habit, and saw Ms. Van from the orphanage introducing some of the oldest children in the camp to potential sponsors. All the people who had accompanied her throughout the arduous journey, now gathered in a rare moment of peace.

At the end of the party, when most of the guests had left, Bách Nguyên led Ý Vy to the hotel's private balcony area, where she could see the entire city and the sparkling lights in the distance.

"Do you remember, three years ago, exactly this night, what you were thinking?" he asked, wrapping his arms around her from behind.

"I remember," Ý Vy replied, resting her head on his chest. "I thought, if fate gives me a second chance, I won't waste it."

"And I did it," Bách Nguyên said, his voice full of pride. "You not only changed your own fate, but also changed my fate, that of the entire Chung family, and perhaps, your sister's future as well."

Ý Vy turned around and faced him, her eyes sparkling under the city lights. "I didn't do it alone. If it weren't for you trusting me from the beginning, without Mr. Son, Phó Nhật Khang, and Bích Ngọc, maybe things wouldn't have gone so smoothly."

Bách Nguyên bent down and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "In any case, I thank fate for giving me the opportunity to meet this strong version of you again, even though I have never known the previous version." Ý Vy laughed lightly, not explaining further the deeper meaning of his words, simply enjoying this rare moment of peace. She looked up at the night sky, the stars twinkling in the distance, and thought to herself, that fateful day in the past - the day that once marked the beginning of a painful tragedy in her previous life - has now been completely rewritten, becoming a symbol of a love built with courage, intelligence, and tolerance.

"Happy anniversary to our fateful day," Bách Nguyên whispered, raising the glass of champagne in her hand to gently touch hers.

"Congratulations that hell, now, completely belongs to you," Ý Vy replied, smiling brightly, "and you have turned it into heaven."

The two looked at each other, smiled, letting the city lights and the sparkling night sky witness a new chapter, complete and happy, of a story that had almost ended in tragedy but was eventually rewritten into an ending worthy of all they had been through together.

Far away at the foot of the building, the stream of cars still flowed back and forth, the streetlights reflected sparklingly on the river surface, like thousands of stars falling in the heart of the city. Ý Vy closed her eyes for a moment, letting the night breeze caress her face, fully feeling the beat of her heart - a peaceful beat, no longer encumbered by any fear or caution. She knows that from tonight onwards, every day ahead will no longer be a silent battle for survival, but simply new pages of a life she deserves to enjoy, next to the man who is holding her tightly in the middle of a sparkling city night.