Chapter 8 — The Husband's Secret

Outside the window downstairs, someone is walking their dog, someone is carrying a food basket on the way home. Everyone's life is as simple as a bowl of warm water. There's only my door, away from a secret that's about to break. I said, today I will take Vien Vien to her mother's house. Tham Nghien's voice immediately became cold. He said, why? I said, I don't feel well, mom will help me take care of the baby for a few days. He said, isn't Aunt Khuong here? I said, I don't want to bother her. It was quiet outside again. A few seconds later, he said, he must bring the child home before Friday. I did not respond. He said again that Vien Vien must have a medical examination on Friday. These two certain words, slipping through the door, are like a sharp thorn. I said, wait until your health recovers and then think about it. Tham Nghien lowered his voice. He said, this is not a small matter. I pressed my forehead against Vien Vien's soft hat. I said, for you, Vien Vien no matter is a small matter. There was no more noise outside. Half an hour later, Aunt Khuong arrived. As usual, she changed her shoes, washed her hands, and went to the kitchen. But as I packed up Vien Vien's things, she kept loitering in the living room. I stuffed my birth certificate and vaccination book into the inside compartment of my bag. She suddenly asked, are you planning to go out today? I said, go back to my mother's house. She immediately said, Vien Vien has a strange bed, if you change places at night, you will cry. I said, she used to live in my mother's house. Aunt Khuong said again, these days the seasons are changing, don't make the baby suffer. I looked up at her. I said, Aunt Khuong, do you not want to leave her? The smile on her face stiffened. She said, after taking care of her for a long time, of course it hurts. I nodded. I said, then you must understand, being a mother hurts your child even more. Aunt Khuong bowed her head and said nothing more. When I carried Vien Vien out the door, Tham Nghien was standing in the mysterious gate. He didn't get out of the way. He looked at Vien Vien in my arms. Vien Vien was holding a towel with her eyes wide open. Tham Nghien reached out to touch her. I took half a step back. His hand stopped in mid-air. He said, Diep An, what's wrong with you? I looked at him. I really want to throw those papers in your face. I really want to ask you, outside the delivery room five years ago, when you signed your name, did you ever think of me? I want to ask you even more, how could you put our daughter's name in someone else's medical record? But I don't. Lawyer Trinh once said, when not thoroughly prepared, don't rush to turn your cards face up to your opponent. I said, I have a headache and want to go home for a few days. Tham Nghien stared at me. A long time later, he leaned over to give way. He said he would come pick up the two of them that evening. I said, no need. I said, I'm not negotiating with you. I don't say anything more. When the elevator door closed, I saw Aunt Khuong standing behind Tham Nghien. Her eyes were fixed on Vien Vien. That look no longer resembled that of a nanny. More like someone guarding an old secret. When I got to my mother's house, as soon as I walked in the door I couldn't stand it anymore. I handed Vien Vien to my mother, turned around and ran to the bathroom. The faucet is still open. I bent over and vomited for a long time, but couldn't vomit anything. My mother banged on the door outside. She said, An An, what's going on? I washed my face and opened the door. I tell everything I can tell. Tell the story of Aunt Khuong's slip of the tongue. Tell the story of Tham Du. Tell the story that Tham Nghien hid for five years. Tell the story of the application for compatibility testing at the City Children's Hospital. My mother listened to the end, her hands shaking so much that she couldn't even hold a glass of water. Her first reaction was to rush to find Tham Nghien. I pulled her back. I said, Mom, no way. I said, now that he knows what we are afraid of, he will hide it

everything go away. My mother asked with red eyes, so what should we do? I said, protect Vien Vien first. That afternoon, Lawyer Trinh came to my mother's house. After looking at the profile, her face was very unsightly. There are two lines of clues in this matter, she said. She said, first, Tham Du's background and whether Tham Nghien hid his marital status or the truth. She said, secondly, whether Vien Vien was arranged for a medical examination without his consent. The second issue is more pressing, she said. She asked me to immediately send a written statement to the City Children's Hospital. I declare that I do not agree to conduct any sampling or examination unrelated to Vien Vien's medical treatment. She also told me to send a copy by mail to the hospital's Medical Department and keep the delivery receipt. I followed. When signing my name, my pen nib tore the entire surface of the paper. Vien Vien was laughing loudly in the living room. The girl sat on my mother's lap, holding a drum in her hand. That sound rang out softly. I felt a sting in my nose when I heard it. In the evening, Tham Nghien arrived. He stood at the door, carrying Vien Vien's small blanket. My mother did not let him enter the house. Tham Nghien looked at me. He said, follow him home. I said, you and Vien Vien will stay here today.