Chapter 3 — Who Gave You the Right to Take My Home?

Ton Tu Anh seemed to have grabbed a straw to save his life. He immediately rushed forward, his voice trembling with tears, intending to pull the police's hand:

"Comrade police! It's just a misunderstanding! It's all a misunderstanding! We are one family! This is my biological niece's house! We are not bad people! It's... it's her parents who agreed to let us stay temporarily!"

I laughed coldly, interrupting her performance.

“If you live temporarily but have to change the landlord's door lock?”

"If you live temporarily and dare to pat your chest and say the house has changed names?"

"Let's stay temporarily, wear my clothes, use my things, then turn my house into a mess like this?"

I leaned over, allowing the police to clearly see the chaos in the mysterious entrance and the disorganized decorations inside. Trieu Diem Diem immediately shouted:

"Lam Van! Don't slander me!"

“This house originally belonged to my mother—”

"Omen Diem! Shut up!"

Ton Tu Anh shouted harshly, blocking his daughter's words. She clearly understood that continuing to cause trouble in front of the police would only be more disadvantageous. Immediately change tone. Tears come and go.

"Van Van, you're wrong, you haven't told me clearly..."

"I've been abroad for three years, my parents' health is not good, it's too cold at home, we just came to take care of them and keep them company..."

"The lock... was because I lost the key before and was afraid it wouldn't be safe so I changed it..."

"Look, you made such a noise as soon as you got home, making the neighbors laugh..."

“Take care of my parents?”

I caught the crux of her words and my heart sank slightly. But the surface is still not revealed.

“So where are my parents now?”

Ton Tu Anh's eyes blinked slightly, clearly avoiding.

“They… they saw the noise in the city, so… they went back to their hometown… they said they liked quiet…”

My parents lived in the city all their lives. Friends, relationships, it's all here. How could they suddenly return to a town they were no longer familiar with? Such a big thing, how could you not tell me? My mind immediately raised countless doubts. But now is not the time to dig deeper. I turned to the police, my voice decisive:

“Comrade, the ownership papers are here.”

“Relative relations cannot change the fact that they arbitrarily entered and occupied my home.”

“I ask them to leave immediately, restoring my legal use rights.”

“If not, I will pursue legal responsibility.”

Lawyer Tran Minh, standing next to him, added, his voice clear with every word:

“According to Article 245 of the Penal Code, the act of illegally entering another person's residence, if serious, can be punished with up to three years in prison.”

"Even if it's not that bad, it still violates the Law on Administrative Sanctions and can lead to detention and fines."

“My client has every right to request an immediate end to the obstructive behavior.”

Each sentence and each word is like a hammer. Trieu Diem Diem took a step back. Ton Tu Anh choked. She understood— The granddaughter in front of her was no longer someone who could let them do whatever they wanted. At this moment— The elevator opened again. This time, the person in charge of the area police station stepped out. Obviously having received instructions, he rushed to the destination. Extremely polite attitude:

"Miss Lam, right? The Director has instructed us to handle this matter in accordance with the law and protect your legal rights."

He looked over the scene and nodded to the two policemen. There are instructions from superiors. Everything immediately became more decisive.

“You two heard clearly.”

The police looked straight at Ton Tu Anh and Trieu Diem Diem.

“Ownership has been clearly verified.”

"Your actions show signs of illegally entering another person's residence."

“Please immediately pack up your things and leave here.”

“If we do not cooperate, we will apply enforcement measures.”

The four words "coercive measures" had just finished— Ton Tu Anh seemed to be completely defeated. His legs felt weak, he sat down directly on the ground, beating his thighs and crying:

"Oh my God, there is no reason! People in the same family don't talk about love!"

“We had the kindness to help look after the house, but it turned out to be a crime!”

"Lin Van, you're an unscrupulous girl! In a foreign country, you can eat and wear well, do you know how hard it is for us to take care of your parents—"

Trieu Diem Diem also cried. Mother and daughter hugged each other, performing a standard "tragic" scene. But inside my heart— Only cold remains. Looks like changing the lock takes over? Looks like he blatantly claims it as his own? Looking enough to force my parents to leave? I didn't bother looking any further. Turning to the lawyer and police, his voice was calm:

“Please everyone supervise them packing their things.”

“I only gave them thirty minutes.”

“Not even one of my things can be taken away.”

“For those that are broken, I will make a claim list.”

Having finished speaking, I went aside. Take out your phone. Click to call dad. The bell rang for a long time. Finally someone picked up the phone. But on the other end of the line... It was my mother's voice again. Weak, urgent.

“Van Van… is that you?”

“You… you're back?”

Hearing my mother's voice, my nose stung and my throat choked.

“It's me, I'm home.”

"I'm standing in front of the house in Cam Hoa Uyen. What is this all about? Why are Ton Tu Anh and Trieu Diem Diem at my house? They say the house has been transferred to their name? Where is dad? Where are you two? Has something happened?"

The other end of the line was silent for a few seconds. Then came suppressed sobs.

“Van Van… I'm sorry… I didn't tell you…”

“Your father… had a stroke half a year ago… although he was saved, he has difficulty walking… he needs someone to take care of him…”

“In the city, the cost is high and follow-up examinations are inconvenient… so we went back to our old house to stay temporarily…”

"Ton Tu Anh said there are many opportunities in the city, Diem Diem wants to go look for a job... leaving my house empty is a waste... so let them stay temporarily, convenient to take care of..."

“Who would have thought… they changed the lock… after that even we couldn't get in…”

“Also… your father owed money to their family before… took the house to pay off the debt…”

My mother's voice was broken, like each blunt knife cutting into my heart. Dad had a stroke. Such a big thing... They hid it from me again. As for Ton Tu Anh— Taking advantage of my family's weakest moment, setting up such a blatant takeover of the house. Using a house to pay off debt? Ridiculous to the point of being despicable. My father was careful all his life and absolutely could not let himself fall into that situation. My chest heated up, anger welled up. But more— And self-blame. I took a deep breath and forced my voice to calm down:

“Mom, don't be afraid, don't cry.”

“I'm home, let me handle this matter.”

“Mom and dad just stay over there.”

"When I'm done here, I'll come right back to visit you two."

"The house is yours, no one can take it away."

“As for Ton Tu Anh… I will make them pay.”

I hung up. When I looked up— My eyes looked at the mother and child, who were slowly packing up their things under the supervision of the police, and were completely cold. Half an hour later. Ton Tu Anh and Trieu Diem Diem dragged several stuffed suitcases and stood struggling in the hallway. Their belongings are not few. Many things are clearly meant to be purchased later. There are even branded bags with unopened tags. My silk nightgown was stuffed into the suitcase. But the makeup on Trieu Diem Diem's face has not yet been removed. Ton Tu Anh looked at me, his eyes so venomous that it seemed like he wanted to cut his skin:

"Lam Van, it looks like you're good! Let's just wait and see!"

I didn't bother to answer. Just nodded slightly to the locksmith.