Chapter 10 — Three Days Lost Both Mother and Wife

Every night I cry. You are the first to wake up. Parents on both sides watched everything. No one said anything. But everyone understands in their hearts. There are people. You have to lose it to appreciate it. Luckily. God still gave him a chance. Right at that moment. The baby babbled and held out his small hand towards Co Dan Thuong. Just one slurred syllable. It made him stunned. Red eyes. To Kien Thanh walked over and gently picked up the child. Then took a key from the drawer. That's the key to the new house she just bought. She placed it in Co Dan Thuong's hand. His voice was still as gentle as ever.

“I can't forget what happened.”

“But I also don't want my child to grow up without his father's love.”

Co Dan Thuong tightened his grip on the key. Both eyes were red.

“Kien Thanh…”

She interrupted softly.

“If I still disappoint you.”

“I will really leave.”

“There will be no turning back.”

Co Duan Thuong nodded sadly.

“There will be no next time.”

“I use the rest of my life to prove it.”

One week later. The entire family of three and their parents brought a bunch of white daisies to the cemetery. In front of my mother's gravestone. Co Duan Thuong bowed deeply. After a long time, he said in a hoarse voice:

“I brought Kien Thanh and my grandchild home.”

“I know…”

“I cannot make up for the mistakes I have made.”

“But from today.”

“I will live worthy of what mom and Kien Thanh once gave me.”

A gentle wind blew. The white chrysanthemum petals moved gently. To Kien Thanh walked over. First time in a long time. She proactively grabbed his hand.

“Let's go home.”

Co Dan Thuong gently squeezed that hand. The corners of the eyes are red.

“Let's go home.”

Late afternoon sunlight covers the road leaving the cemetery. Three large and small silhouettes gradually moved away. Behind them. White chrysanthemums still bloom quietly in front of the tombstone. Like a word of forgiveness. Just as a reminder. There are mistakes that will follow people for a lifetime. But as long as you still know how to love and appreciate the present. Then the house was lost. Can still be called once again… Three years later. The Co family's villa no longer looks as cold as before. Children's laughter echoed throughout the yard. A little girl wearing a yellow dress and two pigtails ran on the grass.

“Follow me!”

Co Dan Thuong wore home clothes, walked barefoot, and ran while laughing.

“Just run slowly.”

“What if you fall?”

The girl turned her head and pouted.

"Dad will tell you when he catches you."

Having finished speaking, the girl chuckled and ran faster. To Kien Thanh stood on the front porch, watching father and son play, the corners of his lips curled slightly. The maid brought out tea.

“Madam.”

“The older she gets, the more she resembles you.”

To Kien Thanh looked at his daughter. Gently shook his head.

“She looks more like her dad.”

Right at that moment. The girl tripped on a small stone. The whole person leans forward. Co Dan Thuong almost rushed forward and hugged her child before the child fell to the ground. He frantically checked from head to toe.

“Does it hurt?”

“Is there any pain?”

The girl blinked.

“I just got stuck in the weeds.”

Co Dan Thuong is still not assured.

“Let me see.”

Seeing his tense appearance, To Kien Thanh burst out laughing. The day before. He is someone who can even forget his wife's birthday. Girls only need to cough once. He was so worried that he couldn't sleep. People can indeed change. Some people change too late. Luckily this time. God still gives them a chance. Afternoon. The whole family Go to the cemetery to visit Co's mother. In front of the tombstone. The girl raised her head curiously.

“Who is this?”

To Kien Thanh sat down. Gently stroke your baby's hair.

“It's grandmother.”

“Someone who loves dad very much.”

“Love you mom too.”

The little girl held a bunch of white daisies and seriously placed them in front of the tombstone.

“I am Niem An.”

“I got a hundred points today.”

“Dad and mom took me to visit grandma.”

“Dad is very good now.”

“Don't make me cry anymore.”

Listen to what your daughter has to say. To Kien Thanh's eyes turned red. Co Dan Thuong turned away and quietly wiped the corners of his eyes. A gentle wind blew. The leaves shook slightly. Like someone is smiling. Leave the cemetery. Father Co called Co Dan Thuong back. He gave him an old wooden box.

“My mother left it behind.”

“If one day you two can really get over everything.”

“Give it to me.”

Co Dan Thuong slightly trembled as he opened the box. Inside is a discolored envelope. Mother's familiar handwriting appeared before my eyes.

“Dan Thuong.

If you can read this letter. Maybe mom is no more. I know you're very busy. I also know that you are not a bad child. It's just that I've spent too much time chasing success. But forgot. Family is the most precious thing. I don't blame you. I just hope. If Kien Thanh is still with me in the future. Please treat her well. She is a good girl. It is the most precious gift God gives you. Don't lose it again. If one day I can do it. Mothers who live far away will also feel secure." The letter ends. But Co Duan Thuong's tears kept falling. He carefully folded the letter. Kneel down in front of the tombstone.

“I'm sorry.”

“You understood too late.”

“But I promise.”

“For the rest of my life.”

“I will not let Kien Thanh and her daughter suffer any more self-pity.”

A hand gently placed on his shoulder. He raised his head. It's To Kien Thanh. She said nothing. Just smiled slightly. That was the smile that he had to trade nearly half his life to see again. Late afternoon. The sunset dyed the return road golden. Co Dan Thuong carried his daughter on his shoulders. To Kien Thanh walked next to him. The girl giggled.

“I want our whole family to be like this forever.”

Co Dan Thuong turned to look at the woman next to him. Gently held her hand.

“It will always be like this.”

To Kien Thanh raised his head and looked at the sky. The corners of the lips curl up. There are losses that will never be compensated. But there are also people. After going through pain. Finally learned how to love, how to appreciate and how to maintain happiness. That was the last gift Co's mother left them.