Chapter 19 — When I No Longer See Them As Family

I quietly said "yes".

“It's been hard for you, lawyer Ly.”

“The stories behind…”

“Leave everything to me to handle.”

Hang up the phone. I stood up. Sunlight through the window fell on me. Extremely warm. I stretched gently. Feel your whole body relax. This war that lasted for several months... Has ended. I won. Win neatly and decisively. Win to the point... Not leaving the opponent a single piece of armor. The court verdict was sent to my desk. Clear black and white. Every line is cold. Truong Thanh Long, nicknamed Long Ca... Committed the crime of organizing and leading a gangster organization, unsuccessful kidnapping, illegal detention and many other crimes. Verdict: Life imprisonment. Deprivation of political rights for life. At the same time, all personal property is confiscated. Committing the crime of inciting kidnapping. Due to continuing to commit serious crimes during the period of probation, the previous probation sentence was revoked. Many crimes accumulate. Finally served a sentence of eighteen years in prison. That baby... The child was just born carrying the debt of the adults' sins... After many times of coordination... Was taken to the city welfare hospital. Waiting for it... It will be a long childhood without a father or mother. I looked at the verdict. There aren't too many ripples in my heart. That is the outcome they deserve. I closed the document. Locks deep into the last drawer. My life... I shouldn't continue to be occupied by those names anymore. Project in the south of the city of Dai Thang company. Bringing in the biggest profits in nearly ten years. During the celebration party. I raised my glass of wine. Bow deeply to the entire staff who worked together. Manager Vuong stood beside him feeling emotional.

“Director Khuong.”

“You are truly the backbone of all of us.”

“If that year I hadn't resolutely overcome all opposition to get this project…”

“There is no such thing as today.”

I smiled softly. Say nothing. Only I know. For me it's not just a commercial win. It's more like a battle. A battle... Help me regain my most beautiful life. After the party ends. I'm not going home. I told the driver to drive to the suburban cemetery. The night was very late. The whole cemetery was coldly quiet. There was only the sound of the wind passing through the pine trees. I found my father's tombstone. In the photo... He still has the same elegant and gentle appearance as ever. I gently placed the bouquet of white daisies in front of the grave. Then sit down on the ground. Leaning back against the cold beer. Just like when I was a child. I took out a bottle of wine. Two glasses. Pour him a glass. Pour yourself a glass too. I spoke softly. The voice in the empty night sounded vague.

“I came to visit dad.”

“A lot has happened.”

“There are some unfilial people in the house.”

“But everything…”

“It's all resolved.”

“I cleaned up that trash.”

“From now on, there will be no one left…”

“Come and disturb Dad's peace again.”

I raise my glass. Gently touch his tombstone. Then drink it dry. Wine is very strong. So spicy that tears welled up in my eyes. I don't know... It's because the wine is too spicy. Or because my heart is too bitter. I leaned against the tombstone. Saying a lot of things. Talking about self-pity over the years. Talk about disappointment for them. Talk about being strong when you're alone. Also talks about confusion for the future. Lifelong hey... I said it all in one night. To the end. My voice was also hoarse. The horizon gradually appears silver white. A new day is coming. I stood up. Adjust your clothes. Facing the tombstone, bow deeply again.

“I'm leaving.”

“Dad, rest assured.”

“I will live well.”

“I will carry all of your expectations with me…”

“Live brighter than anyone else.”

I turned around. Welcoming the sunrise. Step by step going down the mountain. I don't turn around anymore. Because I know. From this moment. I have truly... Completely broken with the past. Those heavy chains. Those painful memories. They were all left by me... Forever on this mountain. Left in the last night before dawn. The road ahead… Still very long. But this time… I walked with light arms. For yourself. Private beach in Bali. Sunlight. White sand beach. And the sea surface is so blue that it is not contaminated with a speck of earthly dust. I wear a long white dress. Wear a wide-brimmed straw hat. Leisurely lying on a chair in the middle of the sand. In hand is a glass of chilled coconut water. The phone rang with a voice message from lawyer Vuong.

“General Khuong.”

“My vacation is almost over.”

“So what is the last stop of your trip around the world?”

His voice still carried the familiar teasing tone. I laughed. Answer me one question.

“What's the hurry?”

“The world is so big…”

“I just finished looking at one corner.”

Two years now. I entrusted most of the company's management to Manager Vuong and trusted senior managers. Only responsible for reviewing quarter-end financial reports. Video conference a few times. Knowing the general direction is enough. All remaining time. I use it all to compensate myself. Making up for half a lifetime ago... Being imprisoned. Has been eroded. I've been to the North Pole. Watching the aurora glow like a mythical dream. I've been to Africa. See herds of antelope and wild elephants migrating across the savannah. I've been to Europe. Standing on the banks of the Seine River feeding pigeons. I learned to scuba dive. Learn to surf. Even passed the test for a pilot's license. My life… After being crushed by my own hands. Got me again... Little by little, it's put together. Into the look I like the most. Maybe it's not perfect. But it's free. Warm. And filled with infinite possibilities. I turned off the phone. Take off the straw hat. Barefoot walking towards the big sea. Wave after wave came. Gently kiss my ankle. Bring just enough coolness. I closed my eyes. Spread your arms wide. Feel the sea breeze passing through your long hair. I seem to… The sound of the wind can be heard. It's telling me that. Everything in the past... It's really over. People who have hurt me. Every day he plays his own crazy drama in a mental hospital. She no longer recognized anyone. Including yourself. In prison, reform is very good. Every year he is a model prisoner. He spends all his time reading and working. Use that method to atone for your sins. Using the same method... To escape from my broken life. Also in prison. It is said that she became extremely quiet. No one saw her cry anymore. No one saw her smile anymore. She is like a shadow. Live quietly in that square space of sky. They all came to their own end. Also find have a place where you belong. I opened my eyes. Look at the sea connecting with the sky in front of you. My heart feels strangely clear. No more hatred. No more resentment. Even those painful scars... Time has smoothed them out. My life… Like this ocean. Have been through hurricanes and storms. Once upon a time, there were fierce waves that filled the sky. But after all. It is still that vast, deep and peaceful ocean. I laughed from the bottom of my heart. Catch the sea breeze. Embrace the sunlight. Embrace all the new things in front of you. The second half of my life… It's just begun. And this time. Will be written by myself. The main character... There's also only me.