Chapter 11 — There Is Light At The End Of The Road

Leaving the court, it was raining outside. Kieu Na opened her umbrella for me.

"You won the case but why do you still look unhappy?" She asked softly.

I looked up at the gray sky and shook my head.

"Not unhappy."

"Just... a little tired."

This war... Has worn away so much of my energy. Even though the outcome is what I wanted. But the trauma one had to go through during that process... Still looks like deep scars deep into the bones. Cannot disappear easily. The phone suddenly vibrated. It's a text message from an unknown number.

"Tham Du, I'm To Van. I want to meet you to talk privately."

"I'm at the coffee shop across from the courthouse. I'm waiting for you."

Kieu Na leaned over to look at the screen and was immediately alert.

"Don't go! That girl is no different from a crazy person now, who knows what tricks she plans to play!"

I thought silently for a few seconds.

"No problem."

"I just came to see what she wanted to say."

"What else can she do to me?"

"I'll go with you!"

"No need."

I gently held her hand.

"You stay here and wait for me."

"I'll be right back."

I want to meet To Van. Not because I was curious about what she wanted to say. I want to personally close this mythical past. I walked into the cafe alone. To Van was already sitting in the position next to the window. She was wearing a complete black outfit. Hair tied behind the speaker. His face was pale, lifeless. The once weak and pitiful white lotus flower... Now it has completely withered. See me. She no longer pretends to be pitiful like before. Just silently looked at me with empty eyes mixed with resentment.

"You're here."

Her voice was hoarse. I sat down opposite.

"What do you want to say?"

To Van suddenly burst out laughing. The laughter was so shrill and terrifying.

"Say what?"

"You must be gloating now, right?"

"You destroyed everything I had."

"Job."

"Reputation."

"For now..."

"Even A Triet pushed all the blame onto me."

"He said..."

"I tricked him."

"It's because he's blind that he loves me."

She laughed... Tears just kept flowing down.

"Do you know..."

"He and I have been together for five years."

"That's two years earlier than you."

"We were college friends."

"It's each other's first love."

"We promised to be together forever."

"But after graduation..."

"When entering society."

"Seeing the prosperous world outside."

"He changed."

"He started calling me poor."

"Cry me for not being able to help his career."

"He met you."

To Van's words... Like a heavy hammer. Hit me straight in the heart. Two years earlier than me. What I always think is the beginning of love... Just a choice after he has considered the pros and cons. The person who came later... It was me again. Even the person who comes later... I'm not one either. From beginning to end... I was just a tool for him to climb higher.

"When I chased you..."

"He texts me every day."

To Van seemed to be completely immersed in distorted memories.

"He told me what he said to you today."

"Tell me what your reaction was."

"He said..."

"Shen Du is too easy to fool."

"Plain as a blank sheet of paper."

"He also said..."

"Just conquer her."

"Then you won't have to live in misery for the rest of your life."

"He told me to wait."

"Wait until you get enough money from you."

"Then the two of us will start again from the beginning."

"I've been waiting."

"I waited for three years."

"I looked at him and her hand in hand."

"Look at you two getting engaged."

"I'm crazy jealous."

"So..."

"I just made him register his marriage."

"I just want a title."

"I just want you to know..."

"Whose person is he anyway?"

"I thought..."

"Just let us get married."

"Then you will withdraw yourself."

"I thought..."

"He will choose me."

"But I didn't expect..."

"You're so cruel."

"You really want to corner us."

She raised her head. Bloodshot eyes stared at me.

"Based on what?"

"On what basis did you have everything from the moment you were born?"

"On what basis can you easily get the things I have longed for all my life?"

"Just because..."

"Is your father Tham Guohua?"

I quietly listened to every word of her questioning. In my heart... Only a cold piece remains. I'm not angry. It doesn't hurt either. I just feel... So pitiful. I feel sorry for her. I also feel sorry for myself.

"Are you done yet?"

I spoke up, my voice as calm as a calm water surface. To Van was stunned. Maybe she didn't expect my reaction like that.

"With that said, I'm leaving."

I stood up, preparing to leave.

"Stop!"

To Van screamed.

"Tham Du! She is truly a cold-blooded monster! Don't you have a heart?"