Page 24
She didn’t cry immediately.
She simply stared at the dark road ahead of her.
Then she searched through her bag, hoping there might still be something left.
There was nothing.
The empty bag lay at her feet.
Minh’s mother picked it up, held it tightly against her chest, and whispered, “It’s okay… it’s okay…”
But this time, those words were no longer enough to deceive even herself.
She called Minh.
The moment he answered, he heard his mother crying.
“Minh…”
Just that one word was enough for him to know that something had happened.
“Mom, what’s wrong?”
She tried to speak, but her throat was too choked to form the words.
“The money… it’s gone, son.”
Minh suddenly stood up.
The chair behind him fell to the floor.
All he could hear was his mother sobbing on the other end of the phone.
“I’m sorry…”
She said between sobs.
“I’m sorry, son.
I held onto it so tightly…”
Minh pressed the phone against his ear, tears spilling down his face.
“Mom, don’t apologize.”
“I thought your sister could be treated tomorrow morning…”
Her voice broke.
Minh collapsed into his seat.
All the hope that had just been kindled in his heart was extinguished by darkness within minutes.
Hạnh rushed over and helped him.
He clutched the phone tightly, listening to his mother cry on the other end.
“Mom…”
His voice was barely a whisper.
“Please don’t cry.”
“I’m not crying.”
But they both knew she was.
Minh wiped away his tears and forced himself to smile as he always did, even though his lips were trembling violently.
“It’s okay, Mom… I’ll figure something out.
Our family… still has me.”
Minh kept the phone pressed against his ear.
On the other end, there was only the faint sound of his mother crying.
He wanted to say something—anything—that would make her feel better, but his throat was too tight.
Finally, he whispered,
“Go to sleep, Mom.
I’ll come home tomorrow.”
His mother immediately asked,
“Where are you going to get the money?”
Minh looked down at his calloused hands.
“I have a way.”
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