Chapter 10 — The Silence Between Two Loves

Those two people, before they died— Both had contact with the same intermediary. That intermediary— Has direct contact with a deputy general manager of the Shen Group. And that person— was Tham Tri Ngam's uncle. Tham Vi Son. Tham Vi Son. Number two figure of Tham Group. After the old man passed away— Tham Tri Ngam took power. And Tham Vi Son— Sitting in the position of vice president. In charge of foreign business. All the clues in the documents— Point to one person. Tham Vi Son. The truck. Three hundred thousand. Shell company. They are all his people. Tham Tri Ngam took the copy— Is it because he also found out about this? The so-called "protecting me" - Is it because he's afraid Tham Vi Son will know that I have the original and will take action? Tham Tri Ngam... is an accomplice? I do not know. But I know one thing— I have to see him. Face to face. It was just dawn— I called Tham Tri Ngam. This time… he listened.

“Tong Van.”

His voice was hoarse, like he hadn't slept for days.

“I need to see you.”

“…Where are you?”

"In the district. Are you coming, or should I go to the city?"

He was silent for a moment.

“I came to find you.”

“But it takes time. I'll come tonight.”

“Tham Tri Ngam.”

I tightened my grip on the phone.

“I got the original copy that my father left behind.”

The other end of the line— Absolute silence.

“What did you say?”

His voice changed. For the first time— I heard… fear.

“I have the original. All the evidence is in my hand.”

“Tong Van, listen to me—”

He spoke quickly.

“Don't touch those things. Don't show them to anyone.”

“Wait for me to come and then talk.”

“Because Tham Vi Son knew you were investigating.”

His voice was very low.

“His people… are looking for you.”

“Tong Van, you are in very danger.”

“Dangerous?”

I laughed coldly.

“My father is also dangerous.”

“When he was dangerous… where were you?”

“Tong Van—”

“When you took the copy from my father… you knew he was harmed.”

“But you didn't do anything.”

“Don't call the police.”

“Don't tell me.”

“Didn't even come and light a stick of incense for him.”

“I just took the evidence away… and then pretended nothing happened.”

“I'm not—”

“Not what?”

I interrupted.

“Tham Tri Ngam, tell me—”

“In this matter... who are you?”

“Tham Vi Son's accomplice?”

“Or the one who cleans up the aftermath?”

There was a "thud" sound from the other side. Like someone slammed on the table.

“I… am not anything.”

His voice came out from between his teeth.

“Tong Van, I am nothing.”

“I'm a fool.”

“A person who thinks he can control everything…”

“But in the end… there was no control.”

“What do you mean?”

“Wait for my arrival.”

“It's here... I'll tell you everything.”

The phone is disconnected. I sat by the bed. Fingers are still shaking. Niem Niem woke up. He rubbed his eyes, hugged the cloth rabbit, and walked out of the room.

“What's going on mom... why are you crying?”

I raised my hand to wipe my face, only then realized... tears had wet my cheeks.

“Mommy doesn't cry.”

I picked up my baby.

“It's just... I miss my grandfather.”

“Where is grandpa?”

“He is in heaven.”

“Where in the sky… is it?”

“Very far away…”

“So did grandpa see me?”

I hugged my child tighter. Bury your face in your baby's soft hair. I said softly.

“Grandpa is definitely… looking at us.”

Tham Tri Ngam arrived at eight o'clock in the evening. He doesn't drive himself car. Assistant Tran brought him to the door and then left immediately— As if intentionally leaving space... for the two of us. He entered the shop. I saw— His condition was very bad. Bloodshot eyes. The chin is covered with green beard. Shirt wrinkled. It's like I haven't had a proper rest in days. In his hand— Was a brown paper envelope.

“You got it?”

He looked at the iron box on the table. He sat down. Place the envelope on the table. Push towards me.

“You look at this first.”

I opened the envelope. Inside is a stack of documents. First page— Is a letter. Written by Tham Tri Ngam himself. The writing is very confusing. Completely different from his usual neat appearance. If you are reading this letter, it means I have told you everything. Maybe you will hate me. Maybe you will forgive me. Maybe... I don't want to see you again in my whole life. Whatever you choose— I accept it. Three days after what happened to your father— I got the copy. That night, in the old man's office, he discovered a locked drawer. I sent someone to break the lock. It's a copy left by my father. He finished reading— Sitting in that room… all night. Then he began to investigate. He used everything he could— It took three months— To piece together the entire truth. It's my second uncle—Tham Vi Son. He bribed the truck driver. Create that accident. Because my father... got evidence that he laundered money and hired people to kill people. Those things— Enough to destroy all of his illegal activities abroad. After having evidence— His first reaction was to report to the police. But Tham Vi Son... there is someone in the system. Without absolute proof— It's impossible to take him down. On the contrary... it will make him wary. And erase it all. He chose silence. You bring the copy. Let everyone believe that— The evidence is gone. He was intentionally cold towards you. Let Tham Vi Son think— I don't care about your father's affairs. Just disposing of 'remains of a former employee'. You underestimated him. Even though he believed the evidence had been destroyed— He was still uneasy. He followed me. Also follow him. If I had shown any interest in you then— He would have suspected the original was still there. But once he suspects— You and Niem Niem... will be in danger. I can't come see you. Can't visit my child. Unable to show any concern. Those two years— It wasn't like I didn't come. But... don't dare to come.