Chapter 9 — The Day You Abandoned My Mother and My Child in the Middle of the Airport

Three hours later. Ly Minh Trach stands under a luxury apartment complex in Shenzhen. It's not morning yet. The whole area is quiet. Only the pale yellow streetlights remained. He found the correct building according to the address in the message. Then ring the doorbell. No one answered. He clicked again. Come the third time. An elderly woman's voice was heard on the door intercom.

“It's Minh Trach.”

The other side was silent for a few seconds. The electronic door lock makes a "click" sound. Ly Minh Trach took the elevator to the sixth floor. The apartment door was slightly open. Tham Niem's mother stood in front of the door. She was wearing pajamas. Hair has turned gray. Wrinkles on the face. It seems there are more than half a year ago. She turned and walked into the house. Calm voice. Just like receiving a normal guest. Ly Minh Trach walked in. The apartment is not big. Two bedrooms. A living room. But cleaned very clean. On the tea table in the living room. There is an open architectural design magazine. The first page is filled with penciled notes. It's Tham Niem's handwriting.

“Where is Niem Niem?”

“Where is Tham Niem?”

Tham Niem's mother did not answer. She went into the kitchen. Pour a glass of water. Place on the tea table. Ly Minh Trach did not sit. He stood in the middle of the living room. Look everywhere. The wall is full of pictures of Niem Niem. The baby smiled brightly. There is also a photo of Tham Niem when she graduated from university. She wore a bachelor's gown. Standing in front of the school gate. Eyes sparkling like stars.

“Where is Tham Niem?”

Tham Niem's mother sat down on the sofa. Raise your head to look at him. In those eyes. There is fatigue. There is helplessness. And there was something on her face that Ly Minh Trach had never seen before. Contempt.

“Minh Trach.”

“It's good that you came.”

“A few words.”

“I wanted to tell you for a long time.”

“Now I just want to know where Tham Niem is…”

“She's not here.”

Tham Niem's mother interrupted him.

“It took Niem Niem away.”

"I do not know."

“And I won't tell you.”

Ly Minh Trach's temples twitched continuously.

“I am Niem Niem's father.”

“You have the right to know where your daughter is.”

Tham Niem's mother burst out laughing. That smile. It made Ly Minh Trach's spine run cold.

“Have you ever exercised that right?”

“When Niem Niem was sick.”

“Where are you?”

“When she had her birthday.”

“Where are you?”

“When Tham Niem gave birth by cesarean section.”

“You signed the papers.”

“Turn around and leave.”

“Even waiting for it to be pushed out of the operating room.”

“You don't want it either.”

Ly Minh Trach opened his mouth. Couldn't utter a word.

“Do you know that not long after Niem Niem was born, he had jaundice?”

“Tham Niem alone held her child in line at the hospital.”

“Standing for four hours.”

“A phone call…”

“I didn't call either.”

Tham Niem's mother's voice began to tremble.

“Do you know that after giving birth, Tham Niem suffered from depression?”

“He has trouble sleeping every night.”

“And what do you say?”

“‘Don't overdo it. Every woman doesn't give birth.'”

“I'm not your mother.”

Tham Niem's mother stood up. Red eyes.

“Tham Niem has been married to you for five years.”

“Five years.”

“He quit his job.”

“Give up your friends.”

“Give up all your dreams.”

“From an architect who can draw beautiful designs.”

“Turning into a woman who only knows how to spin around in the kitchen.”

“What about you?”

“You gave it something What?"

Ly Minh Trach took a step back.

“You gave her an adulterous husband.”

“A mother-in-law looks down on it.”

“A close friend sees it as a joke.”

Tham Niem's mother's voice finally choked.

“She has a fever.”

“Still brought my daughter to Sanya to celebrate her wedding anniversary with you.”

“And you left her and her child at the airport.”

“Go rent a room with that bitch.”

“He told me that Niem Niem was hospitalized.”

“You only answered one question correctly.”

“‘You decide for yourself.'”

Tham Niem's mother wiped her tears. Her voice suddenly calmed down.

“Minh Trach.”

“My daughter doesn't owe you.”

“He spent the best five years of his life for you.”

Ly Minh Trach stood motionless. Both hands clenched into fists. Nails dug deep into palms. I want to say something. But my throat felt like someone was choking me.