Chapter 7 — Voices Behind the Dark Room

Luong Thua Trach's eyes turned red, but he couldn't say a word. Luong Duc Hai suddenly kicked the chair away. "That's enough!" Duong Duong shouted. It was the first time in two years that she let out a full scream of fear. I don't give anyone another chance to speak up. I called the police. "I want to report a case." "My daughter shows signs of being threatened by a family member for a long time and illegally restricting her physical freedom." Luong Duc Hai took a step forward. "Don't you dare!" I looked at him and turned on the speakerphone. The operator's voice rang out on the other end of the line. "Please stay calm and give me the specific address."09 When the police arrived, the Luong family's dining table had not yet been set. The moon cake crumbled on the plate, a glass of wine was spilled, and the red wine splattered a large area on the tablecloth. Luong Duc Hai sat on a red wooden chair, his face pale. From beginning to end, he only repeated one sentence over and over again. "Family matters." "Adults teach children." "He was determined to make a scene." The police did not follow his words. They watched the audio and video first, then checked the storage room. When I led them over, Duong Duong hugged my legs tightly. The female police officer squatted down, lowering her voice very softly. "You don't have to come in, little girl." "Let me come in and take a look?" Duong Duong looked at her, then at me. I nodded. At this point, the baby relaxed a bit. The storage room door was opened. The musty smell spread out again. The female police officer used a flashlight to look at the door frame. The low scratches, the faint word "don't" and the half bamboo mat on the floor were all photographed. Luong Duc Hai also intended to say it was a mouse scratch. The female police officer glanced at him. "Do mice know how to write?" Among the relatives, someone couldn't help but scold him in a low voice. Luong Duc Hai's face became even more unsightly. When asked, Luu Ngoc Mai cried until she could barely stand. At first she said she didn't remember clearly. Then, in front of the video and the bunny ears, she finally admitted. That day two years ago, I worked late and came home late. Duong Duong woke up from a nap and looked for his mother, crying non-stop. Luong Duc Hai called her annoying, carried her into the storage room and locked the door. Luu Ngoc Mai was in the kitchen and heard the baby crying. She used to give advice. Luong Duc Hai said not to pamper him. If children don't cry enough, they won't remember the lesson. After that, Duong Duong's crying became increasingly softer. When Luu Ngoc Mai opened the door, she wet her pants, held the rabbit with its ear cut off, and huddled in the corner of the mat. Since that night, Duong Duong has not made a sound anymore. After listening, my fingertips were so cold that I lost feeling. Luong Thua Trach stood next to him, his whole body as if turned to stone. The police asked him: “Did you know at that time?” He was silent for a long time. "Then I heard my mother say something." I looked at him. He didn't dare look at me. "She said dad locked the child up for a while." "I thought it was only for a few minutes." My voice was so hoarse that it didn't sound like myself. "So you never asked?" Luong Thua Trach's eyes turned red. "I didn't expect it would turn out like that." I picked up Duong Duong. "I didn't expect it." "I just felt it wasn't important." After that sentence, he didn't speak anymore. That night, I did not stay at the Luong family's house. I took Duong Duong to the hotel. After receiving the phone call, Ms. Manh rushed over and stayed with me and my mother for a long time. After taking a bath, Duong Duong sat on the bed and placed the rabbit ears and the rabbit next to each other. She touched it for a long time. Then softly said: "Mom." I was immediately stunned. The girl raised her head, tears still in her eyes. “Mom.” This time it was clearer than any sound during practice sessions. I held my child in my arms, tears falling into her hair. "Mommy is here." "From now on, I will always be here." Her small hand patted my back. It's like learning how

I comforted my child. The next day, I asked a lawyer to officially draft a divorce agreement. At the same time, I asked the agency to change my work location, preparing to move to a place closer to the rehabilitation center. When Luong Thua Trach came to the hotel to find me, his eye circles were dark and his whole body was visibly emaciated. He stood outside the door, holding the type of yogurt Duong Duong often ate in his hand. "An Ninh, let's talk." I didn't let him in. Duong Duong sat behind me, as soon as he heard his voice, his fingers squeezed the rabbit again. I looked at him. "Say it right here." Luong Thua Trach's voice was hoarse. "I know you're wrong." "I will live alone with my parents." "I will also practice recovery with Duong Duong." "I give you one more chance." I asked him: "When Duong Duong was locked up, where were you?" His face was pale. I asked again: "She hasn't talked for two years, where are you?" His hand slowly dropped. I gave him the divorce agreement. "Sign it." He didn't accept it. "An Ninh, I'm her father." I turned to look at Duong Duong. "Duong Duong." "Do you want to go with dad?" Duong Duong's whole body trembled. The child shook her head. Very strong. Then she hid behind me, her voice was very small but every word was clear. “No.” “Come with mom.”