Chapter 13 — When I No Longer See Them As Family

When lawyer Ly relayed his words to me. I had no reaction. His hatred. Or his remorse. For me... It's all no longer meaningful. Between us is a bottomless abyss. It's bloody betrayal. It's the broken past... Can't go back. The war they themselves started... Finally ended. The fire and smoke dissipated. Only ruins and irreparable ruins remain. The only survivor standing among those ruins. The court is solemn and cold. There were only a few people sitting in the audience seats. There is not a single one of our relatives. I wear a black business suit. Sit in the plaintiff's chair. Face without any emotion. There were two people on the defendant's chair. And Luu Van. Khuong Vi wore a prisoner's uniform from the detention camp. Skinny person. Face as gray as ashes. The whole person is like a puppet whose soul has been drained. From beginning to end… He didn't look my way once. Luu Van hugged her large belly, her face was pale, and she continuously used a towel to wipe her tears. Her eyes occasionally glanced towards the judge. Full of begging and fear. Dinh Tue was not present. She was taken to a psychiatric rehabilitation center. A court-appointed guardian attended the hearing on her behalf. At the same time, accept all civil compensation liability right in court. The trial process happened faster than I expected. Khuong Vi abandoned all defense. After the prosecutor finished reading the indictment. The judge looked at him.

“Defendant Khuong Vi.”

“Regarding the prosecution's charges, do you plead guilty?”

Khuong Vi raised his head. Empty eyes scanned the entire courtroom. His voice was as hoarse as friction sandpaper.

“I plead guilty.”

Definitely neat. Don't say another word. Luu Van's lawyer is still trying to take advantage of the last chance. He repeatedly emphasized that Luu Van was forced and was only a secondary accomplice. She has committed great achievements. Furthermore, she is pregnant. The child is innocent. Hopefully the court will reduce the penalty. Luu Van sat next to her and cried even harder. I coldly watched her performance. There were no waves in my heart. After half an hour there is a break. The judge knocked the gavel again. The moment of sentencing…

"Defendant Khuong Vi committed fraud, falsifying state agency documents and intentionally destroying property."

“Many sins add up.”

“Sentenced to fifteen years in prison.”

“At the same time, a fine of 500,000 yuan.”

Fifteen years. When Khuong Vi heard that number, his body shook slightly. But in the end… He was still standing. There was no despair on his face. There is no more resentment or resentment. Only numbness remains after everything is completely over. His life... From the moment he decided to attack me... It ended too soon.

“Defendant Luu Van committed fraud, falsifying state agency documents and intentionally destroying property.”

"Considering that the defendant has committed great achievements and is also pregnant."

“Put a sentence of three years in prison, suspended for five years.”

“At the same time, a fine of 100,000 yuan.”

When you hear the words "suspended sentence". Luu Van's legs were weak and he almost collapsed to the ground. The female police officer next to her had to catch her. She escaped a lifetime. No need to go to jail anymore. Was her life really saved? I looked at her. The corners of his lips curled slightly into a cold smile that no one could detect. As for her… The real trial. It's only just begun. End of trial. The judge stated:

"Defendants Dinh Tue, Khuong Vi and Luu Van must jointly compensate plaintiff Khuong Nghien for a total of 786,000 yuan in economic damages."

The wooden hammer knocked down. Officially ended. Jiang Wei and Liu Yun were taken away. While passing by me. Khuong Vi's footsteps stopped a bit. He also turned his head to look at me. There was no longer any hatred in those eyes. Just a deep, dead void with no bottom in sight. It was like looking at the most familiar stranger in the world. I calmly looked back at him. Calmly. From today... We sisters have broken our relationship. We won't see each other again for the rest of my life.