Chapter 1 — Six Sticks Change a Life

The night I caught my husband and my best friend rolling around in bed, I didn't cry or make a fuss. I picked up the baseball bat from the bedside table and hit her in the knee six times. Three strokes of the left foot, three strokes of the right foot. Very fair. Then I called 110 to report to the police and confessed. The family broke up, refused all reconciliation, and spent 3 years and 8 months in prison in exchange for having to use a wheelchair for the rest of her life. On the day he was released from prison, the March wind carried the scent of flowers. Outside the prison wall, there was a man standing, holding a bouquet of sunflowers in his arms, the corners of his eyes were red but still smiling. He said: "Co Tri Y, I've been waiting for you for a long time. Let's go home." * December 17, 2021. I remember that day clearly, because it was the wedding anniversary of me and Tong Nghieu. Third year anniversary. The company's project received the final payment early, so I deliberately skipped the afternoon meeting and went to the shopping center to buy the Rolex watch he had been talking about for half a year. While wrapping the gift, the staff asked: "Did you buy it for your husband?" I said yes, today is our wedding anniversary. She smiled and congratulated me. At that time, I still felt happy. On the way home, I was thinking about whether I should stop by to buy more bouquets of flowers. After all, Tong Nghieu is a practical person, he likes more practical things. When I got to the door, I didn't ring the bell. There was a key in my pocket, I wanted to give him a surprise. The porch light wasn't on, and the living room was dark. I thought he was away. Then I heard a noise. Coming from the bedroom. I will never forget those few seconds for the rest of my life. My brain felt like someone had split it in half, one half told me what the sound was, the other half desperately denied it. I stood in the hallway, clutching the bag containing my Rolex, walking step by step. The bedroom door was ajar. No lock. When I pushed the door open, I saw two bodies entwined with each other. That man's face is so familiar to me. People who shared the same bed for three years. But the face of the woman who just turned around was what made me feel like I was struck by lightning, leaving me frozen on the spot. Tran Tam Dao. My best friend grew up with me since childhood. So close that they wear the same pants. The day I got married, she was the bridesmaid. She used to help me drink, I used to lend her money. Last year her father was hospitalized, I didn't say a word and transferred eighty thousand yuan (more than 270 million VND). Yet at this moment, she was crawling naked from my bed, her expression turning from infatuation to horror. "Co Tri Y... Why, why did you come back?" Tong Nghieu frowned, pulling the blanket to cover her lower body. His first reaction was not guilt. It's a scolding. "Didn't you say there was a meeting today?" I understand. He didn't wonder why I came back. He was blaming me for ruining his plans. At that moment, my head buzzed and then became strangely quiet. Like the dead silence before the storm. I turned around and walked out to the living room. Very steady steps. Walking past the door, I saw an aluminum baseball bat standing next to the shoe cabinet. It was an item purchased during the company's team-building session last year, never used. I picked it up. Hold it tightly in your hand, feeling the cold aluminum alloy. Behind me was the sound of Tran Tam Dao frantically getting dressed, along with Tong Nghieu's voice trying to suppress: "Go quickly, go quickly, she's crazy—" I returned to the bedroom. Tran Tam Dao's skirt had just reached her knees. When she saw what was in my hand, her face immediately turned pale. "Sisters... Sisters, listen to me explain..." She stepped back, her feet hitting the headboard of the bed. I said nothing. Step forward, look at her from above. I have looked at this face for 26 years. When I was little, I shared it

She gave her half of her lunch box, she said she would be happy to share it in the future. When she was 20 years old, her business failed. I took all the startup money I had just saved and loaned it to her. On the day I got married, she was drunk, put her arm around my shoulder and said: "Co Tri Y, you are my closest sister for the rest of my life." The closest sisters. I swung the baseball bat. Tran Tam Dao raised her hands to cover her face: "Co Tri Y! Say something slowly!" The first blow, straight to the left knee. The sound of bones breaking was as crisp as crushing a packet of snacks. She screamed in agony and then fell down, her whole body cringing. Tong Nghieu screamed next to him: "You're crazy! Co Tri Y, you're crazy!" I didn't even look at him. Second stab, outside left knee. Give another blow to make sure this leg is completely disabled. Tran Tam Dao's cry was lost, like the sound of a pig being pricked, his whole body convulsed. "Don't... I beg you, don't hit me anymore... Sister, I was wrong..." Third stab, left calf tendon. Quickly and decisively. She couldn't scream anymore, her mouth was open, her whole face was distorted, drool was running down the corners of her mouth. Then I changed direction. Stand to her right. Tong Nghieu rushed over and hugged my arm: "Co Tri Y, stop now! You will go to jail!" I pushed him away forcefully. He staggered and fell to the ground. Fourth shot, right knee. This time I used more force than the previous three blows. I heard two "crack" sounds, like a dry branch being broken. Tran Tam Dao's body bounced, the back of her head hitting the foot of the bed. Her eyes rolled back, foaming at the mouth, her fingers twitching and scratching wildly on the floor. Fifth shy. Shy Friday. Three strokes of the left foot, three strokes of the right foot. Very fair. I threw down the baseball bat. The sound of metal falling to the floor was deafening. The bedroom had a strong smell of blood mixed with the sour smell of sweat. Tran Tam Dao lay paralyzed on the ground, her legs bent at a deformed angle, and passed out. Tong Nghieu sat down in the corner of the room, his whole body trembling, his lips moving, unable to utter a complete word. I took out my phone. Unlock, dial. "110, right? Number 1401, building 7, Thuy Dinh area, Tuoc Ho street, I just seriously injured someone." "Yes, I'm the one who reported the crime, I'll wait for you guys to arrive." Hanging up, I sat on the living room sofa. On the tea table is the cup of tea I brewed in the morning before going to work, already cold. I picked it up and took a sip. Bitter. My hands are still shaking. Not because of fear, but because the adrenaline hasn't subsided yet. I lowered my head to look at my palm, there were a few drops of blood splattered on it. Not my blood. I took out the Rolex watch bag from my shirt pocket. Squeeze in hand. Then throw it straight into the trash. Police sirens sounded in the distance. The day is getting closer. I stood up and opened the door. The hallway had a few neighbors peeking out. I stood expressionlessly in front of the door, waiting. When the police arrived, I raised my hands above my head. "I'm Co Tri Y, I called the police myself." "The person is in the bedroom, you guys go in and handle it." When they handcuffed me, I looked back. At the end of the hallway, Tong Nghieu, wrapped in a towel, stumbled out. He screamed at the police: "She hit people! She intentionally caused injury! She is crazy!" I looked at him. I've been looking at this face for 6 years. Pursued for 2 years, dated for 1 year, married for 3 years. At this moment, it seemed like he was looking at a stranger.