Chapter 11 — The Silence Between Two Loves

For two years— He quietly collected evidence. Take your father's copy as a starting point— Little by little. Little by little confirmation. It took me two years— Just to complete the entire chain of evidence. Just as he was about to finish— Tham Vi Son discovered it. He started to counterattack. Let people follow you. See if you know about the original. The strange phone call I received— It was his person. Recently— He often comes to the district. It's not because I suddenly have a conscience— Although it's true that I... really want to meet you and Niem Niem. But more importantly— I have to protect you two. I need to make sure— Before he strikes— You and I… are safe. All the evidence— It's all in this envelope. Includes direct evidence— Truck driver's testimony. I found him. He agreed to testify. He submitted all the documents— to the city prosecutor. Tham Vi Son will be arrested. Your father's death— I am responsible. If he had discovered it sooner. If only you had gotten the evidence sooner. If you don't consider yourself right— There are too many 'ifs'. Nothing changes the truth. Be a good person. He is better than anyone in the Tham family. More integrity. Be braver. He used his life— In exchange for these evidences. I won't say 'please forgive me'. You don't deserve it. I just want to say one thing— The past two years— Every night I dream of your father. Dreamed that he was standing in front of the Tham family's gate. Wear an old, faded coat. Smile at him and say:

'Tieu Tham, be careful on the road.'

He called him 'Tieu Tham'. Since he was a kid. He drove me for ten years. Those ten years— Never been late once. He prepared the umbrella. He started the car engine ten minutes in advance to warm it up. When you get sick— He buys medicine and puts it in the passenger seat. Don't say a word. Be a good person. Is a bad person. He considered his daughter— Like a thorn in his eye. Be cold to her for three years. He considered his grandchild— As a nuisance. Two years... didn't come to look even once. I don't ask you to forgive me. I only ask you one thing—”

“…let me use the rest of my life…to atone for my sins.

Not for you to forgive me. But to make myself... worthy of the two words 'Tieu Tham' that your father called me." I finished reading the letter. Tears fell drop by drop onto the paper. The two words "Tieu Tham"... blurred in the water. Tham Tri Ngam sat opposite. Just look at me. Don't say a word. The light in the shop is very weak. Only one light bulb on the counter lit up. His face— Half pure. Half in darkness. Expression... unknown.

“Why didn't you tell me sooner?”

My voice was hoarse, to the point that even I felt strange.

“Because you won't believe me.”

He said.

“And… honestly, I don't know how to face you.”

“So you chose to hide?”

“…Yes. Two years.”

He bowed his head.

“I know… I'm terrible.”

I stood up. Step in front of him. He raised his head to look at me. Not the type that is afraid of danger. It's more like— A child doing something wrong… waiting to be judged. I raised my hand. His body stiffened slightly. You probably think... I'll fight. My hand was on his shoulder.

“Tham Tri Ngam.”

“You are really bad.”

His lips moved. Speechless.

“But I'm not a bad person.”

He froze.

“My father calls you 'Tieu Tham'... no It's because of my cousin Tham."

“Because he sees you as a good person.”

“Before the old man died, he told me—”

“‘Tri Ngam, this child, has the same personality as his father, both tough and unpleasant... but his heart is not bad. Van Van, please bear with it a bit.’”

Tham Tri Ngam's eyes... turned red. I've never seen him blush.

"I always thought... the old man was looking at the wrong person."

His voice trembled.

“I have failed you.”

“So what are you going to do now?”

“Atonement.”

He said.

“Use it for a lifetime.”

“How to redeem?”

“First… put Tham Vi Son in jail.”

He looked at me. In his eyes— Still afraid. But add something else. Weaker.

“Then… if you allow…”

“I want to be Niem Niem's father.”

"You are her father."

He shook his head.

“I am only biologically my father.”

“But I've never been a father for a day.”

“I want to be your father.”

“Take your children to school every day.”

“Go to the parent meeting.”

“When your child is bullied... stand up for him.”

He stopped.

“Still want…”

“Be my husband.”

“Not nominal.”

“It's not a marriage arranged by an old man.”

“But—I chose it myself.”

“I want to pursue you again.”

“From the first date.”

“From giving you a bouquet of flowers.”

“Tham Tri Ngam.”

I interrupted. He stopped.

“You go and deal with your uncle's matter first.”

“Other things... will be discussed later.”

The two words "later" are like a key. Unleash all the tension on his face. His shoulders relaxed. It was as if a burden had been suppressed for a long time. he said. He doesn't go.