Chapter 21 — There Are Wounds That Only Truth Can Heal

Tieu Tang gently closed the door. Sunlight through the window. Falling onto the table. Illuminate the goods receipt sheet. I bowed my head. Continue checking each number. There are stories. It happened faster than we thought. There are also stories. Much slower again. Investigation into the Tran Quoc Binh case. Lasted almost two months. There are also results. The driver that year. Was found in another province. Over sixty years old. Opening a small restaurant. There are two children. Peaceful life. Completely unexpected. After twenty years. There will still be people looking for you. During the investigation. The driver, surnamed Chu, finally confessed. It was he who was driving the car that caused the accident. He said. I only receive money for work. There are tenants. And the person behind hired him. The identity has been verified by the investigating agency. The case was not made public. But news. Still spreading quietly. Just in a very small group. Like a stone falling into a lake. Each wave. Quietly spreading. I know the results. Through lawyer Luu's call.

"The people involved."

"We have been invited to coordinate the investigation."

"Next two days."

"You should prepare yourself."

"There will probably be a lot of people coming."

"Don't answer to anyone yourself."

Lawyer Luu stopped for a moment. Then continue talking.

"One more thing."

"If the case is concluded."

"Property division in divorce."

"There will also be adjustments."

"This is beneficial for you."

I calmly replied.

"I don't need it."

"Thanks to that to get more assets."

Lawyer Luu spoke softly.

"That's not taking extra."

"That is what the law allows."

I smiled softly.

"Lawyer Liu."

"What I need."

"It's what belongs to me."

"It's three pharmacies."

"There are other things."

"Just do it according to the law."

The other end of the line was silent for a few seconds.

"I get it."

That afternoon. My mother-in-law called me. That was the first time. After everything was revealed. She proactively contacted.

"Van Ninh..."

Her voice was very hoarse.

"The story of Kien Minh..."

"Can you..."

She choked. It was a long time before we spoke again.

"It's really..."

"Don't know everything."

"I know."

I calmly replied.

"This."

"It's not for me to decide."

"The law decides."

"First person to report."

I don't shy away.

"In that case."

"There's a guy who died."

"There is a child."

"As soon as I was born, I lost my father."

"There is a mother."

"Just gave birth."

"Gone forever."

"Deserves an answer."

The other end of the line. Falling into silence again. There was only the sound of soft breathing. A long time later. The new mother-in-law spoke.

"Van Ninh."

"Mom is wrong."

"I really know."

I said nothing. She choked.

"Mom just..."

"Don't want Kien Minh."

"You have to carry that with you for the rest of your life."

"I keep thinking."

“Just bury it.”

"It will all end."

I shook my head slightly.

"There are things."

"Can't be buried."

There was another silence.

"Nem Niem..."

"Are you still well?"

"She's very strong."

"That's good."

The call ended. No one said another word. I put down the phone. Sitting alone in the office. The street has entered rush hour. The warehouse counter smells delicious. Someone pushed a cart by. Big promotion of discounted food today. This street. I have been involved for twelve years. First day of opening shop. The rent is still very cheap. Regular customers are all neighbor. Reputation. It's little by little. Accumulate with trust. Come today. There were three stores. I remember very clearly. How I took each step. All of that can be taken away. Three months later. The divorce judgment officially takes effect. According to the court's decision. Three pharmacies. It all belongs to me. The two stores expanded after the marriage. Divided according to the correct capital contribution ratio. Ha Kien Minh. Get your due. No more arguing. Custody of Niem Niem. Belongs to me. He has the right to visit his children monthly. Both sides did not object. The day of the verdict. I sat for a long time in the courthouse parking lot. Read those papers over and over again. Fold carefully. Put it in your bag. Lawyer Luu stood next to him. Do not disturb. Wait for me to sit long enough. Just smiled.

"It's over."

I nodded slightly.

"Next step."

"What are you going to do?"

I looked ahead.

"First."

"Manage three pharmacies well."

"Make up for the time delay."

"And after that."

"Where to go?"

"Up to that."

Lawyer Luu nodded. Reach out to me.

"I have handled many divorce cases."

"You are the sanest person."

I smiled softly.

"No time."

"Let me lose my temper."

She also laughed. Take your hand back. Go to the other side of the parking lot. I drove away from the court. On the way back. Pass by the salted egg cake shop. I stopped the car. Buy a box. Then continue home. When you arrive. Niem Niem hasn't finished school yet. Lam Tinh is helping me pick up my child. About half an hour left. I sit in the living room. Place the cake box on the tea table. Remember last time. She once said. Wait for mom to finish being busy. Mother and daughter will go shopping together. It's all over.