Chapter 10 — The Ten Year Lie

Luc Tram Chu looked at me, his eyes filled with panic. "Van Khe, no." "I never loved her." Tuong Nguyet Cam looked like she had been whipped. "Never loved?" "Then you hugged Niem Tu and said, if she really was your daughter, how good would it be?" "So when you were drunk, if To Van Khe hadn't cried every day, you would have been divorced a long time ago." "So every time you leave my shop, why is that?" Don't you dare go home to see her?" The chatter around became louder and louder. Luc Tram Chu's dignity was stripped down layer by layer. Finally he shouted: "Because I'm afraid!" "I'm afraid of seeing Van Khe!" "I'm afraid of seeing Tue Tue's room!" "I'm afraid she'll ask me why I let go that day!" The alleyway was immediately quiet. His chest was heaving, like a drowning person who had finally given up struggling. "I admit, in that moment I chose Niem Tu." "Not because I love Tuong Nguyet Cam." "Nor because Niem Tu is my daughter." "She's not." Dao Niem Tu trembled violently. Tuong Nguyet Cam's face was terrifyingly white. I was also stunned. Luc Tram Chu looked at me, tears falling. "Before the incident, Tuong Nguyet Cam lied to me, saying Niem Tu could be my child." "I knew the timing was wrong, but she still confused me." "That day Niem Tu called me dad, I only had one thought in my mind." "What if?" "What if she really is my daughter?" "Until I hugged her and turned around, Tue Tue was swept away by the water.” The truth fell, so wild that it made people want to laugh. I'm not for love. Not because of responsibility. Just because of one word "what if" is vain and disgusting. He took Tue Tue's life and bet on a lie from Tuong Nguyet Cam. Tuong Nguyet Cam retorted shrilly: "I didn't lie to you!" Luc Tram Chu looked at her. "After that, didn't you do a blood test?" Tuong Nguyet Cam's lips trembled. The lawyer immediately asked: "Is there a test?" Luc Tram Chu nodded. "Half a year after the incident, I used Niem Tu's hair to do it myself." "The results are not right." "I didn't tell Van Khe." I closed my eyes. Another lie in the past ten years. He knew long ago that Dao Niem Tu was not his child. But still using guilt and emotions to continue nurturing this mother and child. Dao Niem Tu suddenly shook her head. "No way." "Mom said uncle is your father." Tuong Nguyet Cam hugged the girl. "He lied to me." Dao Niem Tu pushed her away. "You lied to me!" "Mom told me to call dad, said he would buy a house for me, pay for me to go to school." "Mom said wait until Aunt To goes crazy, dad will live with us." Tuong Nguyet Cam rushed to cover her mouth. "Stop talking!"But it was too late. All unsightly things are exposed to the sun. I looked at Luc Tram Chu. "So you knew long ago that she wasn't your daughter." "You still come every year to celebrate her birthday." "It still makes me think that you treat her well because you feel guilty." Luc Tram Chu shook his head sobbingly. "I don't know how to stop." "As soon as I stop, I will remember Tue Tue." "I can only treat her well, fooling myself that saving her that year still means something." "Van Khe, you're really sick." This sentence is too familiar. Identity blindness is a disease. Guilt is a disease. Suffering is illness. Every disease becomes his shield. "Then go get treatment." I handed the bag of documents to the lawyer. "Initiate a divorce lawsuit, please re-determine accident responsibility, submit all evidence according to procedures." Luc Tram Chu panicked. "Van Khe!" I didn't turn around. Tuong Nguyet Cam suddenly rushed forward and knelt in front of me. "Sister To, I was wrong." "Don't ruin Niem Tu." "She's about to enter high school, she can't bring these things." I looked at her. "What did she bring?" "Bringing the person your father taught her to rob?" Tuong Nguyet Cam's face turned gray.

"I'll pay you back." "I'll return all the money Tram Chu has given us over the years." "I don't need the money." I squatted down and looked into her eyes. "I want you to tell the truth." Tuong Nguyet Cam cried and shook her head. "If you tell us, we'll be finished." Behind, Dao Niem Tu suddenly burst out laughing. The laughter was both bright and broken. "It's done." "Anyway, you don't need me." The girl turned and ran out into the street. An electric motorbike braked suddenly and the sound of the owner scolding rang out. Luc Tram Chu reflexively chased after him, his hand reaching out and stopping in mid-air. This time, he didn't dare to take it. 11. Dao Niem Tu was not injured. The little girl squatted on the side of the road and cried until she finally had no strength left and was dragged back to the hospital by Tuong Nguyet Cam. After that day, everything was carried out according to procedure. The lawyer submitted the original notes, photos and testimonies of Chau Que Lan and Tham Tri Nghi to the court. Responsibility in the kindergarten accident that year was reviewed. The principal has been retired for many years. When faced with evidence, he remained silent for a long time, and finally admitted that he had edited the minutes that year.