Chapter 5 — Steel Mother

17 The hospital where To Niem is being treated is under extremely strict security. There were two policemen standing guard at the door. But… they couldn't stop me. Hac Bao's men quickly controlled them. I entered To Niem's hospital room without any problems. She was lying in bed, watching TV. Looks like... recovery isn't bad. Seeing me appear, she was startled and scared, unconsciously reaching out to ring the bell to call the nurse. I walked over, lifted my hand and pulled out the emergency call cord. “Miss To, long time no see.” I pulled a chair over and sat down next to her bed. To Niem looked at me with terrified eyes, her whole body cowered, huddled deep into the corner of the bed. “What… what are you going to do?” "I'm telling you, there are surveillance cameras here! Don't take any risks!" Surveillance cameras? I glanced up at the corner of the wall. Hac Bao has finished everything. Now, everything that happens in this room… no one will know. “I don't plan to do anything.” I smiled, then slowly pulled out a scalpel from my pocket - borrowed from the emergency room. The blade was small and sharp, reflecting the light into a cold, ice-like light. “I just came… to take back what rightfully belongs to my daughter.” To Niem's eyes widened, eyes fixed on the knife in my hand. Her whole body trembled so much that the blanket made a sound. “You… don't come here!” "Save me! Save me!" She screamed, screamed madly. Unfortunately... the two police officers outside the door could no longer hear anything. I stood up, step by step, closer to her. “Don't be afraid.” I said, my voice as light as the cold wind in the middle of a winter night. I said: “The surgery… will be very quick.” “I promise… I won't let you suffer too much pain.” “Anyway, when my daughter had her pericardium removed, they... didn't even bother to inject anesthetic.” That sentence was like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing the last ray of hope in To Niem's eyes. On her face, only deep despair remained. I leaned down, leaned close to her ear and whispered: "Do you know?" “Besides shooting, what I'm best at… is surgery.” "Ten years of being undercover in a drug trafficking cartel, in order to gain trust... I personally dissected no less than a hundred corpses." “Understanding the structure of the human body — I know it better than a surgeon.” “So… you can rest assured.” "I will definitely take out every inch, exactly, the thing that doesn't belong to you inside that chest." “No excess, no shortage.” Having said that, I didn't bother looking at that desperate, panicked face anymore. I raised the scalpel in my hand — the blade pointed straight at the fierce scar on her chest, identical to the scar on my daughter's chest. Then, I slowly lowered my hand. 18 I don't know... how I left that hospital room. Just remember, both my hands were stained with blood. Hac Bao's people helped me and took me back to Niem Niem's hospital room. I wash my hands. Change into clean clothes. Then sat down next to her daughter's bed, as if... nothing had ever happened. The next day, the news spread everywhere: "The daughter of Provincial Governor To - To Niem - suddenly died of heart disease, emergency treatment failed." Governor To, in the detention center, had his head turned white overnight. Co Ngon was sentenced to life in prison. All assets in his name were confiscated and transferred to Niem Niem to inherit. Including The penthouse... the place that To Niem once blatantly took over. Trieu Dong Lai, along with all officials, doctors, and staff of the "Morning Star" center... must receive the punishment they deserve. Everything seemed to be over. The sky of city A — also seemed to become clearer. But only I know... All they had to pay... was less than a thousandth of the pain my daughter had to endure. I'm still next to Niem Niem, never taking a step away. Feed your child with your own hands, wipe your child's body, and talk to him, even though he is still in a coma most of the time. I invited the world's leading cardiovascular experts. Together they developed a detailed and comprehensive treatment regimen for her. The surgery was very successful. They used artificial materials to restore my daughter's pericardium. But… her body is still very weak. Damage to the soul is even more difficult to recover from. Every time I wake up, I just stay silent. Empty eyes, looking at no one, speaking to no one — not even me. The doctor said it was a clear sign of severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It takes a lot of time and enough patience to gradually heal. I'm not afraid. I have plenty of time. Also have endless patience. Because... I owe you too much. And I will spend the rest of my life making up for it. 19 I submitted my resignation. Give up all past glory and status. I am no longer Police Officer Lam Tieu, no longer Captain Hac Bao. I'm just a mother. She is the mother of a little girl named Lam Niem. I sold that disgusting penthouse apartment - the place where To Niem used to make his nest. Then bought a small house with a flower garden in the suburbs. It's very quiet there. The sunlight is always warm. I personally planted sunflowers in that garden - the flower that Niem Niem loves the most. I took my child home. Every day, I am with my child. Read fairy tales to your child, sit next to them and draw pictures with them, take them for a walk in the garden. At first, I was very resistant. Don't talk, don't look at me. Even just an accidental light touch makes your child tremble and cringe. My heart felt like it had been stabbed a hundred times by a needle. But… I didn't give up. I said over and over, over and over again: "Nim Niem, don't be afraid. Mom is here." “No one… will ever hurt you again.” I put the platinum necklace back around my child's neck. Inside the pendant, I put a new baby tooth. I found it in a box of her old clothes. It's the baby tooth that I replaced when I was six years old. That day, I hugged the necklace and cried. Crying to the point of tearing your heart out. That was the first time, since returning from the "re-education" center, that Niem Niem burst into tears. I hugged my child and cried with him. Together, we cried out all the humiliation, pain and longing we had been harboring for so long. From that day on... I gradually started to get better. You know how to smile at me. Knowing how to use a soft voice, call me: "Mom..." She proactively took my hand and pulled me out into the garden to watch the butterflies fly. I know... my Niem Niem, little by little... is coming back. 20 One year later. Niem Niem's physical condition has almost completely recovered. Psychology is also much more stable. I started going to school again. Although still quiet, I can communicate normally with friends. The child's drawing becomes more and more beautiful. In my paintings, there are no longer gray colors... Instead there are bright sunlight, blooming flowers, and smiles. We visited Co Ngon once. In prison. He is much older, his hair is more than half gray. Seeing me and Niem Niem, he burst into tears. Constantly repeating two words: "Sorry..." But from beginning to end, Niem Niem did not look at him once. She held my hand tightly, turned and walked away. I also didn't turn back. There are people, there are things... Once it's over, there will be no going back forever. A few more years will pass... Niem Niem got into the university that she always dreamed of. The field of study is fine arts. She had to leave for another city. The day I took my child to the airport, Niem Niem hugged me, tears streaming down her face. “Mom, I will miss you so much…” I smiled and gently stroked my child's head. “Mom will miss you too.” “Remember to take good care of yourself.” I nodded. Then turned around and entered the security check area. The necklace around your neck, sparkling in the morning sun. Radiating a warm light like the love between a mother and child over the years. I stood still, watching my child's back, until he merged into the sea of people and disappeared from sight. Tears, silently rolling down my cheeks. Ten years of fighting in the battlefield, I have protected the country behind me. Returning, carrying hatred and blood, I kept the treasure in the palm of my hand. My mission… is finally completed. The phone rang. It was Mr. Truong calling. “Lam Tieu, go back.” "The team needs you. The country needs you." I looked up at the big screen at the airport, the plane was slowly taking off. I smiled slightly. "Okay." [End]