Chapter 9 — There Are Wounds That Only Truth Can Heal

Don't blink. So long that... I thought you would never answer. He slowly turned his head. Looking out the glass window outside. The voice was so small that... It was almost swallowed up by the sound of the dialer. Just one word "Yes." Just out of it... Everything changes. Tran Dich said nothing. He just slowly let go of the backpack strap. Place it on your lap. I put the file back in my bag. Then stand up.

"Kien Minh."

"I need you to tell me everything."

Ha Kien Minh still sat motionless on the chair. Don't get up. Didn't say another word. The dialer in the hall rang again. Another person stood up and walked towards the counter. I don't wait for your reaction. Take Tran Dich out of the assessment center. Two people stood on the steps. The afternoon sunlight is very harsh. The shadow of the sycamore tree falls on the ground. Tran Dich carries a backpack. But don't go right away. He stood with his back towards me. Looking straight at the street ahead.

"I guessed a long time ago..."

"That you're related to him?"

"It's not a guess."

I replied softly.

"It's an inference."

He nodded. Take a deep breath.

"What happened to my mother that year..."

He stopped. As if trying to arrange each sentence.

"My mother..."

"Are you also being taken advantage of by others?"

I didn't answer right away. Keep that question in your heart for a few seconds. Then said:

"Wait tonight."

"After you ask everything clearly."

"I will answer you."

Tran Dich nodded. Put your backpack back on. Step by step go down the steps. Join the crowd. Turn the corner. Then disappeared. I still stood there for a while longer. Then take out your phone. Message Lam Tinh.

"I will talk to Ha Kien Minh tonight."

"Help me find someone standing near the house."

"If I text..."

"Come over immediately."

Lam Tinh replied.

"Let me pass."

I immediately refused.

"Find a man."

"Can handle it if something happens."

Three seconds later. Lam Tinh texted back.

"My brother."

That evening. Niem Niem was taken to Lam Tinh's house to sleep. The reason is very simple. Lam Tinh wants to play with her. Niem Niem was so happy that he even wore a small backpack. Run after Ms. Lam. Not even looking back. I sent the two of you off. Go back into the house. Cook two bowls of noodles. Place on the dining table. Ha Kien Minh sat opposite. The bowl of noodles in front of me is still intact. He did not move his chopsticks. I finished eating. Put the bowl down. Raise your head to look at him. He bowed his head. Both hands are placed on the knees. Silence for almost a minute. Finally... He spoke up. The voice seemed to come from a far away place.

"Tran Nhuoc Mai..."

"It's my high school girlfriend."

"We dated for a few months."

"After the university entrance exam..."

"Then break up."

I said nothing.

"When we broke up..."

"I knew she was pregnant."

"I told her..."

"I have to go somewhere else to go to college."

"We have no future."

"I told her..."

"Abort the pregnancy."

"But she didn't."

He nodded slightly.

"Do not break."

His voice became smaller and smaller.

"After you left..."

"She gave birth to the baby."

"I don't know at all."

"I thought..."

"She listened to you."

"I don't contact you anymore."

"What year did she die?"

"Year 2008."

"Not long after giving birth."

"When did you know the child was alive?"

Ha Kien Minh's hand placed on the table clenched tightly. Finger joints turn white.

"It's my mother."

"My mother..."

"When are you going to find Tran Thuc Phan?"

"Actually, I don't know everything."

"I just know..."

"The year you graduated."

"Mom told me."

"Tran Nhuoc Mai has given birth."

"The child is still alive."

"Its household registration..."

"Entered in your name."

I repeated each word in my head.

"My mother..."

"It's the one who told them to enter your name."

"I don't know..."

"Did mom proactively suggest it or not?"

He raised his head to look at me. His eyes were filled with emotions that were difficult to name.

"Mom knows all about this."

"It's mom..."

"Helps me keep it hidden."

"Let me marry you."

Ha Kien Minh bowed his head. No need to say more. Already the answer. I sat quietly at the dining table. Once again stringing together the whole thing. Ha Kien Minh's mother... knew her son had a child of his own. Knowing that child is still alive. Knowing that his grandmother had fallen into a dead end. She looked for Tran Thuc Phan. Show her a way. Use my name. Forged my signature. Enter the child's household registration and enter my name. Just like that... That child... From the burden of the Ha family... Turned into a bomb buried in Co Van Ninh's life. The baby grew up safely. And that bomb... Will follow me for the rest of my life. Just one day of being exposed... My honor. My marriage. All can be destroyed. If one day Ha Kien Minh wants to divorce... This will become the sharpest knife. Hit me straight. Even if I speak a hundred times... I can't explain. Suddenly. A quote from Lam Tinh appeared in my mind.

"Your mother-in-law made that phone call... she was speaking on behalf of someone."

She does not speak for herself. For Ha Kien Minh. She wanted me to accept. Want me to accept that too. I want this secret... To become a threat that haunts me all my life.

"Kien Minh."

I heard my own voice ring out. So calm that I even found it strange.

"Today..."

"At the assessment center."

"You admit that you know Tran Nhuoc Mai."

"It's because I know..."

"Can't hide it anymore."

"Or..."

"I think..."

"After knowing everything."

"Will you forgive me?"