Chapter 26 — The Onyx Bracelet Shatters, The Husband's Secret Is Also Revealed

To stand between me. And the people who started calculating my future before she even closed her eyes. The sound in the recording continued to echo. No one in the hall dared to speak up. Even the sound of breathing became clear. Ha Chinh Duc's voice now completely lost its politeness. Only anger and greed are left exposed.

"Tram Duong is about to marry into the Ha family."

"After all, they are members of the Ha family."

"What does it mean for you to hold on so tightly?"

A short silence. Then my mother's voice rang out. But it's so calm it's scary.

"Meaning."

"At least there's still something that won't fall into your hands."

The entire hall immediately fell silent. Outside the glass door. Ton Phuong Anh covered his mouth with his hand. As if hearing these words for the first time. And Ha Chinh Duc. His face was as gray as ashes. In the recording. He seemed genuinely angered. The voice suddenly got higher.

"How long do you think you have left to live?"

"You can keep it today."

"Can you keep it tomorrow?"

My hand trembled slightly. Not out of fear. But because it's cold. Cold to the bone. Because those were the words spoken to a woman lying on a hospital bed. A mother knows she is about to leave this world. And that man. Standing next to you again. Calculate what she will leave to her daughter. The sound of the monitor in the hospital room rang steadily. A long time later. My mother just spoke. Her voice was very light. But every word is sharp as a knife.

"Ha Chinh Duc."

"Do you know why I didn't agree to this marriage in the first place?"

Ha Nghien suddenly raised his head. His facial expression changed markedly. As if even he had never heard this part. In recording. Ha Chinh Duc was silent for a few seconds. My mother laughed. A very soft laugh. Carrying the fatigue of someone who has seen through everything.

"Because of the way you look at my daughter."

"It's not like looking at a daughter-in-law."

"It's like looking at a contract."

A commotion immediately arose throughout the hall. Someone unconsciously turned to look at Ha Chinh Duc. Some people shook their heads in disappointment. Still standing still. Tears finally fell. Not because of pain. But until today. I just knew. Mom saw it all very early. Things I don't see. Things I didn't hear. And she alone. Has stood in front of me longer than anyone. The recording gradually comes to an end. My mother's voice became weaker and weaker. But still very clear.

"If someday."

"She discovered your true colors."

"I just hope."

"It's brave enough to turn around."

There was a long silence. Then she said the last sentence. It was also the sentence that made the entire hall completely silent.

"It doesn't need to save face."

"There's no need to continue suffering."

"Just live for yourself."

The recording ends. The phone screen darkens. There was no longer any sound. But in the hall. No one could open their mouth. Because everyone understands. The woman was lying in the hospital bed that year. Has left his daughter the last word of protection. And today. After many years. I finally heard it. The whole hall seemed frozen. No one expected it. The second recording was just as cruel. It is no longer speculation. There is no longer any doubt. It's a plan that is clearly spelled out step by step.

"Wait after marriage."

"Action from Tram Duong's side."

"She's young."

"Soft hearted."

"Ha Nghien can be coaxed."

"Private seal and power of attorney."

"There will always be a chance in the future."

Every sentence, every word. Like nails. Playing straight into all the excuses over the past few days. I stood still. Suddenly I understood many things. Why after marriage? Ha Nghien always knows exactly what to say. Know when to be gentle. Know when to give in. Know when to drag me home for dinner. Know when to tell me not to make my parents sad. It's not because you understand me better than anyone else. But because it was very early. Someone saw me as a door that needed to be opened. And you are the most suitable key. The sound of a chair being pulled hard on the stone floor was deafening. Ha Nghien stood up. Face turned white. He stared at Ha Chinh Duc. Hoarse voice:

"Did you plan that from the beginning?"

Outside the glass. Ha Chinh Duc sits in a wheelchair. The old face seemed to collapse in just a few minutes. He opened his mouth. But did not reply immediately. First time. He always has all those reasons available. Can't find words to say again. Ha Nghien took a step forward. Bloodshot eyes.

"Since when did you know Tram Duong?"

"Or from before that?"

No one answered. But the silence now. Scarier than any answer. Ton Phuong Anh trembled:

"Old Ha..."

"What do you say..."

She looked at her husband. Eyes full of fear. By even Mrs. Perhaps you have never heard those words. Ha Chinh Duc finally raised his head. He looked at his son. The voice is very hoarse.

"Dad just wants to keep the Ha family."

One sentence. Causing the entire hall to fall silent. No denial. No explanation. No excuses. Just admit it. Ha Nghien felt like someone had punched him in the chest. Staggered back half a step.

"So..."

"Did you really plan it from the beginning?"

Ha Chinh Duc closed his eyes. A few seconds later. Just slowly opened it.

"The Ha family was about to collapse at that time."

"The bank pushes debt."

"Old mortgaged house."

"The company cannot raise capital."

"Dad, there's no other way."

I heard that. Finally burst out laughing. Very light laughter. But the whole hall heard it. Ha Chinh Duc looked towards me. First time. His eyes no longer had arrogance. I looked at him. Slowly say:

"You choose my path."

"To make a way for you to live."

He did not reply. Because I can't answer. Because all that needs to be said. It's already in the recording. My mother is right. They didn't come to marry me. They came to swallow what belonged to me. And the thing that makes people's hearts coldest. That they were really waiting. Waiting for my mother to pass away. Wait for me to get married. Wait for me to believe. Wait for me to soften. Then step by step, he raised his hand. Ha Nghien stood in the middle of the hall.