The airplane drew a long smoke trail across the deep blue sky. Clouds drifted silently like a lost sentiment in a winter night. Ngan Thu took a long breath, wanting to shed everything to find peace in her heart.
Several potted flowers bloomed vibrantly in the morning sun. They were as radiant as the summer sun. Each plant had been brought by him from different places; they were beautiful. More importantly, she loved them dearly.
There was still no news from the police, and Ngan Thu's heart was troubled. All she wished for now was to see his smile, nothing else.
Stepping into the car, she sighed wearily. She still had to go to work in this state of anxiety. Although the chairman had returned, the scandal involving her husband was like a ticking time bomb. Evildoers kept exploiting it to affect the corporation.
Pushing open the transparent glass door, she slowly entered the grand lobby. Employees seemed uneasy, pretending not to see her, trying to act natural. Her close colleague was about to strike up a conversation, but Ngan Thu shook her head and walked to the chairman's office.
Vu Tin Long didn't keep her waiting long. He had a stern face, silver-streaked hair, and a rare smile. Confidence always radiated from him. He possessed the mind of a leader, ready to solve problems.
"Father!"
"Sit down," Vu Tin Long turned his chair. He faced his daughter-in-law with a friendly and sympathetic expression.
"Regarding Man Ky's disappearance, I will find a way to resolve it. However, I think you are under great pressure right now. For the time being, please stay home. I will arrange for someone to assist you with company matters."
Ngan Thu suddenly felt warmth in her heart. Her father-in-law truly understood her thoughts. She was very grateful to him. Just as she thought sincere words had reached a warm heart, the sound of the door opening startled her.
"Come in!" The chairman gestured to a young woman hesitating outside.
Ngan Thu slowly turned to look, astonishment rising within her. She never expected that woman to appear like this.
"Linh Di, you two already know each other, sit down," Vu Tin Long relaxed his brows. He looked at Ngan Thu and gently said:
"Linh Di has extensive professional experience, I believe you know that. For now, please stay home and hand over your work to Linh Di."
"Yes..." Ngan Thu bowed her head in agreement, as if by reflex. She understood Vu Tin Long too well. He wouldn't simply give her the position of operations director. This time, Linh Di's return was already a complicated matter. Leaving this troublesome place was ultimately her own decision.
Quickly getting into her car, she immediately received a call from the housekeeper. Today, her stepmother-in-law invited her to have dinner together. It sounded like a joke, but she insisted it was true. Ngan Thu drove past the supermarket and bought some fresh fruit. Although she felt like she was sitting on a pile of burning coals, the Vu family members were astonishingly calm.
The car stopped at the gate, the housekeeper opened the large door, and she drove in. The wisteria trees were enchanting, captivating people's hearts. The young woman's heels slowly took one step after another. This was indeed an illustrious family; they carried a dazzling aura. She was quietly like a shadow beside that splendid mansion. Butterflies leisurely fluttered around the flower bushes.
"My dear!"
Ngan Thu startled; someone had taken her hand. It wasn't by chance; she quickly pulled her hand back.
"An Huu!"
The infatuated gaze she thought she had forgotten suddenly appeared like a nightmare. The man was tall, with a graceful and refined appearance. He had everything in his hands—money, status, lacking nothing. The only thing An Huu didn't possess, unfortunately, was a gift that destiny had bestowed upon Man Ky.
"Are you well? It's been so long, you're still as beautiful as ever!"
Ngan Thu found these flattering words hard to accept. He always incorporated poetry into his speech, just like that other woman; every word she uttered made others feel inadequate.
An Huu wore a blue shirt with buttons carelessly undone, revealing the fair chest of a rich young master. His Swiss watch, adorned with diamonds, sparkled. He couldn't take his eyes off her.
"Thank you. I'm fine!" she said coldly and walked into the house. An Huu slightly raised an eyebrow, putting his hand in his pocket. The housekeeper quickly took the fruit basket Ngan Thu had bought. The politeness was returned with a condescending welcome.
"Good evening, Auntie!" she said softly as she saw her husband's stepmother sitting on the sofa. The woman was engrossed in arranging her favorite sunflower vase. The nod was not very warm, but she was too used to it anyway.
She shrank into a chair, the splendid chandelier in the luxurious living room. It adorned the house, giving it the appearance of an aristocratic family.
"Auntie, have I done this right?" A woman's voice spoke, and Ngan Thu thought she misheard. She only saw her stepmother turn to the kitchen and chuckle.
"Just leave it there, dear!"
Ngan Thu looked out into the distance, and the girl gradually appeared under the warm neon light. Something lingered in her heart, perhaps a smoldering storm of resentment and jealousy rising.
"Oh, Sister!" Linh Di smiled happily, with a little flour on her face. Her stepmother shook her head and gently wiped it off. They looked like mother and daughter, so affectionate. Ngan Thu suddenly felt a pang in her heart, her nose stinging.
Because she loved him, she ignored her feelings of inferiority, striving to rise and become a successful person. Yet, the hearts of his relatives were cold and indifferent. They were nonchalant after that tumultuous decision.
Now, his whereabouts were unknown, and they calmly ate, laughed, and joked. That pretense made her nauseous and disgusted. Her father-in-law, he made her tired because she couldn't understand him. At least, he had never opposed her and him coming together.
"I plan to visit the family; I'm already well aware of Man Ky's situation." Linh Di sat next to her, her demeanor attentive and questioning. Ngan Thu didn't feel the truthfulness there. Though her presence was clearly evident in her posture, she felt she was being treated as an outsider, nothing more.
The flame of love ignited in a distant past, before he and she knew each other. The story of the past was like an annoying thorn. She had to face all the obsessions from this family. Dear Man Ky, he didn't know her heart was raging with storms because she loved him.
"Let's go eat. Call Uncle down!"
Her stepmother looked at Linh Di, who smiled faintly. Ngan Thu put her hands behind her back, an outcast in the eyes of her husband's relatives. She only wanted to get in her car and go home.
Tan Le Minh walked ahead indifferently. She was so aloof that she had never changed. It was too familiar now, what did it even matter anymore? Ngan Thu shook her head, just ignoring it. As long as she found him, nothing else mattered.
An Huu stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray. He looked at her with an infatuated gaze. Ngan Thu pretended not to notice, calmly walking towards the chair she used to sit in. Unfortunately, Linh Di was already sitting there...