Chapter 8 — They Think I'm Leaning on My Brother-in-law... Until I Flip the Cards

To Chi Hoa stepped forward to hug me. I pushed him away.

“Chi Hoa, you too.”

I looked straight at my husband.

"For the past three years, every time I was upset, you said it was a small matter and told me not to take it to heart. Every time To Chi Cuong belittled me, you chose to ignore it."

"Vu Vy... I didn't know he said that to you..."

His voice was full of guilt.

“Don't know... or don't want to know?”

I asked again.

"Haven't you seen the rumors about me online? Has no one ever told you what To Chi Cuong did?"

To Chi Hoa's face turned red. Obviously—he knows.

“I thought… it was just a rumor…”

I laughed coldly.

"You know very well that it's not a rumor. You just want to keep it quiet. As long as I don't speak up, everything can be pretended to be nothing."

The room fell silent again. A long time later, Trieu My Phuong choked up:

“Vu Vy... I'm sorry, I was wrong.”

“If apologizing solves everything…”

I wiped away the tears at the corner of my eyes.

“So what is the need for justice?”

"Three years of hurt... can't be erased with an apology."

“So what do you want?”

She asked, her voice shaking.

“I want to be very simple.”

I speak slowly and clearly.

“I want to be respected.”

“I want in this house, everyone sees me as an equal, not someone who can be trampled on at will.”

“And I don't want to hear any more words saying that I succeeded because of men.”

I looked straight at them.

“Whether it comes from the mouth of family members… or from relatives outside.”

“Okay, I promise.”

Trieu My Phuong nodded continuously.

“From now on, I won't say those words anymore.”

“Promising is one thing, keeping it or not is another.”

I hold my bag.

“I need time… to think about this relationship.”

“Where are you going?”

To Chi Hoa quickly asked.

“Go to the company.”

I don't turn around.

“Even though I'm on wedding leave, there's still a lot of work to do.”

I drove to the company and went straight to the office. Tieu Truong was surprised to see me.

“President Lam, are you coming again today?”

“I can't stay at home anymore.”

I smiled faintly.

“Tieu Truong, help me check To Chi Cuong's social network account.”

“Yes, Chairman Lam.”

Half an hour later, she came back with the report.

“President Lam, this is his entire social network activity.”

I opened the document— And saw… things that made me even more angry than what I heard. To Chi Cuong not only belittled me in front of his friends, but also went online to imply that my success was only due to luck and connections. He even anonymously posted on the forum, fabricating all sorts of vague rumors between me and the company's management.

“What scum.”

I slammed my hand on the table, my anger felt like it was on fire. Tieu Truong stood next to her, her voice cautious:

“President Lam… do you want to sue him for slander?”

I was silent for a moment, then shook my head.

"Forget it... after all, they are family members, but all evidence must be kept in full, in case it is needed."

“Yes, Chairman Lam.”

I sat in my office all afternoon, letting my thoughts flow like a heavy stream. Things have come to this point, going back to the way they were before... is impossible. But I also don't want just because of this to destroy the whole family that I tried to preserve. Anyway... I still love To Chi Hoa, and still believe in the word "family". family." It's just that, the so-called harmony - cannot be built by one person's silence and tolerance. If they still don't change the way they look at me... then perhaps, I also have to learn to choose a different path for myself. At exactly six o'clock in the evening, my phone rang. It was To Chi Hoa.

“Vu Vy... when will you come back?”

His voice was cautious as if he was tracing each step on thin ice.

“Don't know yet.”

I replied briefly.

“Let's go out to eat… just the two of us.”

He spoke slowly, as if afraid I would refuse.

“I have something to tell you.”

I was silent for a moment, then breathed out softly.

“…Okay, where?”

“The old place… the restaurant where we first went on a date.”

“…Okay, I'll be right over.”

I hung up the phone, adjusting my emotions like someone folding a crumpled piece of paper. Then drive there. The restaurant is located in the heart of the city, nestled in an ancient building, with soft yellow lights and a quiet space that seems to retain old memories. Three years ago... it was here that he invited me to my first meal. When I arrived, To Chi Hoa was already waiting. White shirt, tired face, guilty eyes—a version of him that I have never seen so clearly.

“I ordered your favorite dish.”

He spoke softly, pointing to the prepared dining table. I sat down, looked at familiar things... but felt strange.

“What do you want to say?”

I get straight to the point. He took a deep breath, as if gathering all his courage.

“Vu Vy... I'm sorry.”

“For the past three years… I've been at fault for you.”

“Do you know where you went wrong?”

I asked, my voice cold and calm.

"You shouldn't ignore what Chi Cuong did, you shouldn't let me bear all those frustrations alone."

His voice choked.

“I thought that as long as I was calm on the outside, everything would be fine… but I was wrong, I forgot your feelings.”

I picked up a piece of food, chewed slowly, without answering.

“This afternoon I researched… all the online rumors about you.”

He continued, his voice low.