The rain had completely stopped, leaving small puddles on the road. The cool, pleasant air drew children out to play in the water with delight. Ngan Thu remained in the car, unsure of all the places she had driven through. This situation seemed serious. Should she call the police?
Jim sat beside her, constantly on his phone. The situation was far from optimistic. Both of them felt lost. Although Ngan Thu was convinced Man Ky hadn't been kidnapped, the thought of the worst-case scenario filled her with extreme unease.
Ring! Ring! Ring!
The screen lit up—it was her assistant calling. Ngan Thu nervously answered. On the other end, the assistant's voice was hesitant and worried.
"What's going on?" Jim asked anxiously, and Ngan Thu had no choice but to hang up. She drove to the company immediately.
The story seemed to be going too far. Ngan Thu began to understand the gravity of the problem. It was clear that she had left him to handle everything alone. All the bitterness and sorrow he kept hidden within himself. Finally, a profound longing emerged. It gnawed at her mind relentlessly, leaving her with no peace. As her car pulled into the parking lot, she saw a throng of reporters surrounding the main lobby. Her assistant cautiously ran out to meet her. Ngan Thu looked at him tensely.
"How are things?"
The assistant stammered, unsure how to speak. Jim pushed the door open and stepped out. At that moment, a reporter spotted them.
"I'm so sorry, have you read the news yet, Ms.? The thing is..."
Ngan Thu felt utterly exhausted hearing that. Truly, beyond waiting for news of Man Ky, she had no mind for anything else. A reporter had just spotted them near the parking lot, and quickly, journalists swarmed them, making it suffocating. The assistant gasped, realizing he shouldn't have called Ngan Thu here. Regret was too late; reporters snapped photos continuously. They barraged Ngan Thu with provocative questions.
"Ms. Ly, we hear you and General Director Vu Man Ky are about to break up? Could you give us a statement?"
"Excuse me! We're still fine. Perhaps another time!" Ngan Thu tried to control her emotions. Jim looked at her sympathetically. He didn't know what to do to help his cousin.
"Are you the third party who broke into the General Director's relationship? Did you approach him because you wanted to change your life?"
"What are you saying?!" The assistant yelled angrily, but Ngan Thu quickly intervened.
"Is that the truth? Did you deliberately do that?"
The reporters continued, and Jim seemed unable to bear the accusations. He retorted indignantly:
"This is defamation! Do you want to meet the police?"
Unafraid of the threat, the paparazzi group took turns snapping photos. Over ten security guards appeared. The assistant secretly rejoiced, hoping they would soon be rescued. The reporters were wary and had not yet continued their questions when...
"Ouch!!!" Ngan Thu froze, as a bucket of water splashed squarely onto her face. The assistant gasped, covering his mouth, while Jim glared at his soaked cousin. The water was both dirty and foul-smelling. Ngan Thu was numb as all eyes focused on her.
They mocked her; their gazes clearly showed it. She felt profoundly hurt. At the moment she needed him most, when she wanted someone to protect her, yet...
All that remained was the quiet solitude.
She had pushed him out of her arms herself.
Man Ky, I'm sorry...
Ngan Thu bit her lip tightly, not wanting anyone to see her face. She pushed through the crowd and ran away.
"Sis!" The assistant and Jim shouted. They squeezed past the reporters to chase after her. Around the hidden corner, Mi Lac calmly handed a wad of cash to the person who had splashed the water earlier. She casually strolled into the main lobby as if nothing had happened.
A drop of water fell inadvertently from her wet hair, forming small circles on the cement ground. Her clothes were completely soaked, but Ngan Thu paid no attention to the pitying glances around her. She sat there, in the park where her husband had often wandered for days. The afternoon sun was faint, and her shadow stretched to the side. Her dove-like eyes were downcast and sad. A hint of wistfulness for the wisteria season still lingered, its sweet melody enchanting her loving heart. Her longing suddenly felt as fragile as the petals outside. Drifting across the sky, filled with private sorrow.
The sky was truly beautiful.
So vast and wondrous...
If only you knew I was lonely here. If only you understood the meaning of tolerance. The opportunity is still there, it's just that I suddenly feel too weak, my dear...
Ring! Ring! Ring!
Her phone rang. Ngan Thu glanced over. It was a call from the general switchboard. Hesitating for a moment, she pressed the answer button.
Hello, esteemed customer! You are listening to VNO's "Send Your Heartfelt Love" program. Bringing overflowing love to the most important person. Listen to feel your heart flutter!
To my wife.
It's been too long since we went to see the wisteria bloom. I don't know when you'll open your heart for me to hold your hand again.
March, the season of blooming flowers. The old path you walked was shaded by rows of wisteria. I'll always remember the first smile you gave me. Our initial love was so wonderfully peaceful.
An innocent, pure girl wandered into my life like a magical spell. You made me feel like myself, free to be and do what I liked.
Thank you for always silently helping me all these years.
Thank you for agreeing to hold my hand that day.
And thank you for loving me.
Thank you for everything. Happy birthday, my wife!
I'll love you forever!
Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes, her lips pressing to suppress the rising emotion. Ngan Thu looked up at the distant, boundless clouds on the horizon. That faint glimmer of light painted a sad dream in old memories. Birds flew tirelessly, endlessly. The vast space immersed itself in her eyes.
She cried...
Yes, she had never thought he loved her so much.
In a moment of stubborn foolishness, I hurt you, made you suffer. The world is so vast, yet I met you. The world is so small, and in the end, I lost you.
Is anything certain in this world? We can even stumble while walking. So there's no reason to choose unhappiness for fear of a future misfortune.
Man Ky, what should I do to reach you?