Chapter 18 — There Are Wounds That Only Truth Can Heal

Her voice was very low. Very calm.

"No matter what you find out."

"Kien Minh..."

"Still Niem Niem's father."

"If you continue."

"Have you thought about her future?"

I quietly looked at her. It's the last card. I slowly spoke up.

"Who is Niem Niem's father?"

"Decided by DNA."

"It's not up to you whether you investigate the case or not."

My mother-in-law looked straight into my eyes.

"Nim Niem's father..."

"Should I go to jail or not?"

"Can you guarantee it?"

The customer just finished buying medicine. Say thank you. The doorbell jingled. I didn't answer right away. Quietly ponder that sentence in your heart. She is speaking. If I continue. Ha Kien Minh may be implicated. Until then. Niem Niem will no longer have her father by her side. That was just a threat. It's also a fact. I took a deep breath. Then calmly replied.

"I don't know."

"Does Ha Kien Minh know the whole truth about that year?"

"But I know."

"He knew that household registration was fake."

"Knowing your name is being used."

"Know the child exists."

"Know from beginning to end."

"This is a trap set up to control you."

The mother-in-law immediately objected.

"It never wanted to control me."

I interrupted.

"But he..."

"Never objected."

"So..."

"That's enough."

Mother-in-law pursed her lips. Silence for a long time. The temperature gauge in the room still beeped softly. A motorbike rushed past. The sound of the engine gradually decreased. Then disappeared. A long time later. She just spoke. The voice is no longer sharp. Only fatigue remains.

"Van Ninh."

"There's only one son."

"Do you understand?"

I looked at her.

"I understand."

"What will the outcome be?"

"It's the Ha family's decision."

"Everyone's remaining time..."

"Not much more."

The mother-in-law slowly stood up. Hold the cake box. Then put it down again. She turned and left the room. I quietly heard her footsteps walking past the pharmacy counter. The doorbell rang. Then everything went quiet again. I sat alone in the room. Quietly piece together everything that happened today. My mother-in-law came to see me. On the one hand, I want to find out where my final limit is. Want to determine. I have so much evidence in my hand. She knew. What I hold. Much more than she imagined. Right at that moment. Phone screen lights up. It's a message from Tran Dich.

"There's something I want to tell you."

"This afternoon Ha Kien Minh came to find you."

I immediately asked.

"What did he say?"

Tran Dich replied.

"He gave me an envelope."

"There's money inside."

"He told me to take the money and leave the city."

"Don't ever appear again from now on."

I stared at the screen for a few seconds. Then text back.

"How do you answer?"

Messages arrived very quickly.

"I returned the envelope to him."

"I said."

"I didn't come here for money."

"I just want to wait for everything to be clarified."

At moment later. Tran Dich sent another message.

"When he was about to leave."

"I asked."

"'What happened to my mother... have you ever felt guilty?'"

"He didn't say anything."

"And then leave."

I slowly put down the phone. The sky was completely dark. The street lights are bright. Illuminates the whole street like it's daytime. Report by Doan Kim Ba. Confirmation by Trieu Hoa Lan. The two most important pieces of evidence. It's all in my hands. Plus full documentation before. Lawyer Luu once said. It's time. Officially started. I immediately called her.

"Lawyer Liu."

"Documents are complete."

"Next step..."

"How do we do it?"

The other end of the line answered very decisively.

"First."

"Filing for divorce."

"Simultaneously."

"Send all new clues about the Tran Quoc Binh case to the police."

"And the fake household registration."

"Let the specialized department handle it."

She stopped for a moment.

"I'm sure..."

"Want to start them all at the same time?"

"Sure."

"The morning after tomorrow."

"Come to my office."

"Sign authorization contract."

"The rest."

"Let me arrange it."

I hung up. Holding the box of cakes my mother-in-law left behind. Bring it to the counter. I plan to let Tieu Tang and everyone eat together tomorrow. I drove to Lam Tinh's house to pick up Niem Niem. Just saw me. The girl ran over holding a picture. There is sun. There are flowers. And a person wearing a dress.

"This is mom."

I squatted down. Get the picture. Looked for a long time.

"So much like mom."

Niem Niem immediately rushed into my arms. Hug my neck tightly. Use your little face to rub my cheek. Then coyly asked.

"Can I stay at Aunt Lam's house one more night tonight?"

I hug my child. Gently stroke your soft hair.

"Tonight..."

"Mom will sleep with you."

Niem Niem happily nodded. Then trotted into the room. Pack up your small backpack. Lam Tinh stood next to him. Don't ask right away. Wait for her to completely disappear inside. Just lowered my voice.

"How was the conversation today?"

"What needs to be said."

"I said it all."

"What about your mother-in-law?"

"She's coming."

"Say a few words."