Chapter 14 — The Day I Take It All Back

The whole world seemed to be pressed into silence. I could only hear the sound of my heart beating violently... Along with Tran Hao's heavy breathing. The tip of the knife cut into my skin. A stream of warm liquid flowed down my neck.

"Tran Hao! Let her go!"

Lawyer Truong's voice trembled because of tension.

“Back off!”

“If not, I will kill her immediately!”

Tran Hao completely lost control. His eyes were bloodshot from madness. The arms tightened around me like iron pincers. Vuong Lan was also scared to the point of being stupid. She sat on the ground, trembling and pointing towards her son.

“What…what are you doing…”

“Quickly put down the knife…”

“Shut up!”

Tran Hao turned his head and roared at her.

“If it weren't for you guys…”

“Is it going to turn out like this?!”

“Now I know I'm afraid?”

"It's late!"

He pulled me back step by step... Until my back touched the cold wall. He blocked me in front of him like a human shield. Security and police received the news and rushed to surround it.

“You are surrounded!”

“Quickly put down your weapons!”

The police held a loudspeaker and loudly warned.

“Don't come here!”

Tran Hao pressed the blade harder against my neck.

“Find me a car!”

“Fill up the gas!”

I feel… His hands are shaking. He didn't really want to kill me. He just wanted to run away. Now he has lost everything. The only remaining thought... was to run away from this city that had left me paralyzed. It's the last card. Also uniquely his.

“Tran Hao.”

I spoke up. Calmer than I imagined.

“Look at me.”

He stopped, bowed his head and looked down. In those crazy eyes… I saw panic.

“I really think…”

“If you kill me, can you escape?”

I say every word clearly.

“You can't hide.”

“My life…”

“From the moment you chose to rely on my house…”

“And then betray that trust again…”

“It's been cancelled.”

“You shut up!”

He shouted excitedly.

“What you destroyed…”

“From beginning to end, it's not just your own life.”

I didn't pay attention to his screams and continued talking.

“You ruined your parents' expectations for you.”

“Ruin your sister's future.”

“Also ruined all my illusions about love…”

“And marriage.”

“We once truly loved each other…”

“Is that right?”

My voice is very quiet.

“I still remember…”

“Back in college…”

“You once bought me a concert ticket…”

“But washing dishes at a restaurant for two months.”

“I was really poor then…”

“But there is light in your eyes.”

“Since when…”

“Is that light gone?”

My words are like a key... Opening the door of his memories. The strength that was gripping me gradually loosened. The madness in his eyes... was gradually replaced by confusion and pain.

“Look at me now.”

I looked straight into his eyes.

“Nothing more than a cornered mad dog?”

“Poor…”

“But it's funny.”

“Stop talking…”

“Stop talking…”

He closed his eyes in pain.

“Let go, Tran Hao.”

I spoke softly.

“Please keep the last bit of dignity for yourself.”

He didn't move. Only the hand holding the knife trembled more violently. At that moment... Vuong Lan - who was still sitting on the ground - suddenly seemed crazy, jumped up and rushed forward. But she did not rush towards Tran Hao. That's it towards me. In her hand... I don't know when she was holding a glass bottle picked up from the trash can next to her.

“I risk my life for you!”

“The fox harms people!”

No one expected this incident. Even Tran Hao was stunned. But at that exact moment... He instinctively did something. He pushed me aside. As for myself... I blocked the glass bottle that his mother was smashing down. The glass bottle shattered on his head. Fresh blood immediately flowed down from his forehead. He let out a low groan... Then he fell limply to the ground. The knife in his hand also jingled and fell to the floor. Everything... Finally ended. Tran Hao for the failed crime of intentionally causing injury and the previous crime of usurping his position... The penalties were cumulative, and he finally received a ten-year prison sentence. After Tran Chinh Duc's death... Vuong Lan's spirit completely collapsed. She was sent to a mental hospital. It is said that every day she sits in the hospital room and mutters the same sentence:

“Where is my money…”

“Where are my nine shophouses…”

Tran Dinh quit school. To pay for her father's funeral and her mother's medical treatment... She sold all her designer handbags and her red sports car. Later I heard... She went to a southern city. Work in a small restaurant. The story of the Tran family... Becomes a warning. People have been telling each other for a long time in every small street and alley. After all that… A decision was made. I assign all business rights of the shophouses to a professional management company. Then use the profits earned over the years... To establish a support fund. Specializes in helping women... Hurt in their marriage but not strong enough to resist. Like Lam Lam. Just like me the other day. The day the fund was established... My father also came. He stood under the stage looking at me, his eyes full of pride and peace of mind.

“Nem Niem.”

“I'm an adult.”

I've really grown up. After experiencing betrayal… Hurt… Despair… And resistance… I finally understood. True strength… Not revenge. Nor destruction. But after looking straight into the abyss... I still choose to raise my head and look up at the starry sky. Is on a pile of ruins... I planted a rose with my own hands. My life is still very long. I want to live well for myself.