Chapter 1 — The Gift I Left After My Divorce

Because I wanted a quick divorce, I accepted to leave empty-handed. The whole husband's family was as happy as winning the lottery, everyone's eyes showed unconcealed gloating. On the day I moved out, my mother-in-law brought the whole family, carrying scissors under her armpits, into the villa, as if it were the reward they had been waiting for so long. They eagerly pushed the door open and entered, already in their minds the prospect of a prosperous life, without the thorn that was me. But just a second later, what rang out in that villa was not bustling laughter. It was screams that tore through the throat. Because what they see... is the "farewell gift" I left behind. A horrifying scene, enough to make them tremble enough to immediately call 110. The red seal of the civil affairs department lowered. On Chu Minh Hien's face was unconcealed joy. Next to him, Truong Lan, who used to be my mother-in-law, laughed even more until her wrinkles piled up.

“To Tham, you finally think it through.”

Chu Minh Hien carefully put the divorce papers in his pocket and treasured them like a rare treasure. Truong Lan leaned closer, her voice harsh and sour.

“Don't forget that you agreed to leave empty-handed.”

“Houses, cars, savings, all no longer have anything to do with the Chu family.”

“Don't play tricks.”

I looked at the two of them. A mother and daughter pair put on a kind appearance, but their words were so brazen that it made people nauseous. I nodded.

"I get it."

My calmness seemed to surprise them a bit. Chu Minh Hien frowned, his eyes searching.

“You… really don't need anything?”

“Think carefully?”

It was as if a burden had been lifted from him, and the momentary doubts immediately disappeared. Greed, in the end, still wins over reason. He put his arm around Truong Lan's shoulder.

“Mom, did you hear that, she said it herself.”

“Come on, let's go home!”

The "house" he talked about was the marital villa that my parents bought for me with all their money. A three hundred square meter villa in the middle of the city. On the red book, is my name. But in order for him to agree to the divorce, I signed the transfer papers. Today, it officially takes effect. I watched their backs leave in a hurry, like two beggars who had just received a huge bonus. I took out my phone and looked at the time. Three o'clock in the afternoon. In two hours, they will open that door. I called a taxi, but did not return to the so-called "home". I went straight to the airport. Sitting in the waiting room, I sent Chu Minh Hien one last message.

“The key is under the carpet in front of the door, the password is your date of birth.”

“Wishing you and your family a happy life.”

He answered immediately, just one word. I laughed. Turn off the phone and throw the phone in the trash. I boarded a flight to another city. That's where my new life is. As for them, they are about to enter the hell that I have worked so hard to prepare. I closed my eyes, an image of that villa appeared in my mind. Especially the master bedroom on the second floor. That's where I give them a solemn "welcoming ceremony". I can almost hear, in a few hours, heart-breaking screams will explode in that quiet villa. Truong Lan will definitely be the first to faint. She has high blood pressure and heart disease. Hope she can hold on. Anyway, the good drama… has only just begun. What about Chu Minh Hien? That guy who always considers himself experienced... is he afraid? to the point of peeing your pants? I guess yes. Because the “parting gift” I left behind was enough for any normal person to immediately call 911. It was a horror…so real that it was impossible to distinguish between real and fake. It took me half a year to prepare. Every little detail, every type of material. Even the smell. I do everything to perfection. The plane took off. I looked out the window, the city below my feet gradually turned into spots of light. Goodbye, Chu Minh Hien. Goodbye, my once swallowed life. From now on… it's your turn. Taste the feeling I endured day and night. The feeling of being locked in a cage, watching everything rot... but not being able to do anything. Now, that cage… I finished building it for you all myself. Welcome in. Chu Minh Hien and Truong Lan almost ran all the way to the villa. Behind them is Chu Dinh's family and Chu Minh Hien's younger sister. Big bags, small bags, pots and pans everywhere. Just like an army rushing to conquer new territory. They stood in front of the villa gate, with undisguised joy and boastfulness on their faces. Truong Lan pulled out her phone and stood continuously taking several photos in front of the door. Immediately post to social networks.

“My son is really good, this big house is mine from now on!”

Chu Dinh also held his child and stood taking photos in front of the door.

“Mom, this house is really luxurious, a hundred times better than my two-room apartment.”

“Of course, who is your brother?”

Chu Minh Hien enjoyed the flattery of his family, his vanity was satisfied to the extreme. He found the key under the carpet, then entered the password.

With a "Tiep" sound, the door opened.

A familiar scent, the essential oil I often use, gently spread out. That was the smell of “victory” in their eyes.

“Come in quickly, come in quickly!”

Truong Lan was the first to rush in, like a mouse entering a barn. She changed her slippers and stomped her feet on the floor.

“This floor… is so bright.”

She touched the shoe cabinet in the entrance again.

“This wood… is really good.”

Then rushed into the living room, plopped down on the soft sofa.

“Oh my god, it's more comfortable than on TV.”

The whole family was like country people entering a luxurious place for the first time. Running up and down, opening room after room, constantly admiring.

"Brother, this office is so large, from now on it will be my livestream room!" Chu Dinh shouted.

“Nice thinking, this room is yours.” Chu Minh Hien smiled.

Truong Lan waved his hand.

“It's all ours, what's the hurry!”

“Stay here tonight, no one can go anywhere.”

“Let me go up and clean the master bedroom, that room is the largest, has the best light, I live in that room.”

She whistled and swayed her heavy body, going up to the second floor main bedroom. That's my room. This is also where my preparation of the "gift" begins. Chu Minh Hien followed behind, intending to see his future "wedding room". He pushed open the half-closed door. Truong Lan's singing... suddenly stopped. Time seemed frozen in that moment. Down in the living room, Chu Dinh is still discussing with her husband what color curtains should be changed. Chu Minh Hien just opened the wine cabinet and found the bottle of wine I kept. Everything is still beautiful. Full of illusions about the future. The next second— A scream that tore through the air rang out from the second floor. That sound... doesn't sound like yours People. Desperate, panicked, full of despair. The wine bottle in Chu Minh Hien's hand "bang" fell to the ground. Dark red liquid spread on the floor, like blood. His face was white. He rushed towards the stairs. Chu Dinh and her husband also froze on the spot. Chu Minh Hien almost crawled to the second floor. The master bedroom door was wide open. He saw it. Seeing something that makes it impossible to escape nightmares for the rest of your life. Truong Lan was foaming at the mouth, her eyes were white, and she collapsed right in front of the door. Still in the middle of the room. In the bed I slept in for five years. There is a “person” lying down. A woman. Wear my pajamas. His skin was pale and purple, his eyes were wide open, and there were deep strangulation marks on his neck. Below the body, "blood" soaked the white bed sheet, spreading to the carpet. In the air was the sweet smell of metal mixed with rot, so strong it was nauseating. On the ground next to the bed, my photos were scattered. Next to... is a tie stained with "blood". That's the one Chu Minh Hien likes the most.