Chapter 14 — There Is Light At The End Of The Road

As if just a stronger wind could blow it over. Heard footsteps. He raised his head. The moment our eyes met. I saw... The last light in his eyes. Completely turned off. All that remains... Endless regret. And humble to the end. He spoke. His voice was hoarse as if it had been sandpapered. I stopped. Stand about three meters away from him. Don't take another step.

"Is there something wrong?"

My voice was very calm.

"I just wanted to come see you."

He kept rubbing his hands. His face was full of confusion and insecurity.

"I heard..."

"Now I live very well."

I nodded. He was silent. A moment later. He took out a small velvet box from his pocket. Bring it towards me.

"This..."

"Give it back to me."

I recognized that box. Inside is an engagement ring. The ring I had previously returned to him.

"No need."

I calmly replied.

"It doesn't make sense anymore."

"Just accept it."

He still stubbornly held up the box.

"This is..."

"The only thing..."

"I can still give it back to you."

"I sold the house."

"Pay off all debt."

"Now I don't have any money left on me."

"I can't find a job."

"No one will accept you."

"My mother..."

"She had a stroke."

"Currently in hospital."

"Need money every day."

He said all those things. In a calm and numb tone. It is the story of a complete stranger.

"Now I know..."

"It turns out..."

"Without you."

"You are nothing."

"I know I was wrong."

"I really know I was wrong."

Suddenly... He knelt down in front of me.

"Can you forgive me?"

"Give me one more chance."

"Even if I have to be a buffalo and a horse..."

"I will also use my whole life to make it up to you."

He had tears and snot streaming down his face, hugged my leg tightly, and kept begging. It looks like a stray dog abandoned by its owner. The surrounding passersby all threw strange looks at us. I didn't move. Just looked down at him. Looking at the man I once loved so deeply... Now humble to the core. In my heart... There is not a single bit of gloating. Not even the slightest bit of pity. Only deathly silence remained.

"Luc Triet."

I spoke up.

"Stand up."

He didn't move, just cried and shook his head.

"If you don't forgive me..."

"Then you won't get up."

I took a deep breath.

"Stand up."

"Let's make it clear."

He hesitated for a few seconds then slowly got up from the ground. I looked straight into his eyes and slowly said each word:

"First, I will not forgive you."

"Not forever."

"Second, everything you are suffering today is your own choice."

"That's the retribution you deserve."

"It has nothing to do with me."

"Tuesday..."

"And that's the last thing."

I took my wallet from my bag, pulled out a wad of cash and threw it down in front of him.

"This money..."

"Not for you."

"It's hospital bills for my mother."

"It seems..."

"Out of respect for me in the past, she really treated me well."

"From today onwards..."

"We no longer owe each other anything."

"Don't ever appear in my life again."

Having finished speaking, I turned around and left. Don't turn your head to look at him again. Just look one more time... My heart will soften. It's not about being soft on him. It's because... That stupid girl back then. The person who once defied everything to love him. When returning to the party, Kieu Na immediately walked over.

"What's wrong? He didn't do anything to you?"

I shook my head, picked up a glass of champagne and drank it all in one gulp.

"No problem."

"Everything..."

"It's all over."

That night. I drink a lot of alcohol. Drunk to the point of unconsciousness. In the dream... I went back to that wedding ceremony again. Only this time... I'm not sitting in the stands anymore. But put on a wedding dress. Stand on stage. Below... Three hundred guests applauded me. Next to me. He is a man with a blurred face that cannot be seen clearly. He gently held my hand. Gently put the ring on my ring finger. I couldn't see his face clearly. But I know... That person... is not Luc Triet.