Experiencing hardship, I went to my sister’s house to borrow money, but I couldn’t find her. I was about to leave when I saw my brother-in-law—I immediately hid inside the closet and witnessed a scene I will never forget.

My name is Mai, I am 26 years old. Our family was poor, and Mom and Dad passed away early. My sister and I were the only ones in life together. She was five years older than me and she got married three years ago. Ever since she moved into her husband’s house, I’ve rarely seen her. My brother-in-law, Kuya Hùng, looked dignified—well-dressed, kind-spoken, and educated. Everyone says that my sister is lucky to have married a good man.

But perhaps, only the people within the story truly know that sometimes, “kindness” is just a mask to hide the darkness behind it.

Last month, I lost my job. The rent on our old grandmother’s house and medicine in the province became a burden to me. I didn’t have anything else to do, so I decided to go to my sister to borrow some money.

When I got home, she was the only one doing the cooking. He looked tired and devoid of energy, like he hadn’t slept for days. I asked him:
– Sister, are you all right? Are You Sick?

He smiled insistently:
– No, I’m all right. “Sit down, my brother is coming.

I was about to give him a story when all of a sudden we heard the sound of a car outside. Suddenly he stopped, trembling, and spoke hastily:
— Hurry, Mai! Hide in the closet, come on!

I was surprised.
– Huh? Why would I go into hiding?
– Don’t ask any more questions, please, hurry!

Terrified by her expression, I quickly hid inside a large closet in the room. My heart skipped a beat as the door slammed shut. A few seconds later, Brother Zhang entered.

“Honey, the smell of what you’re cooking,” she said in a soft voice.
– Ah… It’s just soup, – my sister replied, trying to calm down. – Take a shower before we eat.

I thought it was just a casual conversation between the couple. A few minutes later, however, everything changed.

I heard my sister’s voice, trembling with tears:
– Hùng, have mercy, I’m tired now, don’t worry…
– Tired? Even if you’re tired, you have to “pay”! Who am I going to spend my money on, huh?

A loud slap echoed. I was shivering in my chest, barely able to breathe. At the corner of the closet, I saw my brother Hùng pushing my sister to the bed. She tried to fight back, crying, but it only made her feel better.

I covered my mouth so I wouldn’t scream. Tears welled up in my eyes as I watched the man everyone looked up to as he turned into a monster.

As she left the room, my sister sat on the floor, crying bitterly. I walked out of the closet, hugging her tightly.
– Sister, why don’t you leave her?
He replied trembling:
– I can’t… He had all the land papers, titles, and even my accounts. If I left him, I wouldn’t take anything with me, and he would threaten to spread my photos and videos.

I was discouraged. It turned out that my sister’s “beautiful” life was a prison of fear and grief.

I took her hand:
– I’ll help you. We’re going to sue him. You can be free.

But he shook his head:
— You don’t know, he has a connection. No one will believe me.

I couldn’t keep quiet anymore. I grabbed my phone and secretly recorded what had happened. Three days after that, I reported to the police. At first my sister was scared, but eventually she signed a complaint.

When the police raided the house, Brother Hùng was just sitting and reading a newspaper. When the warrant of arrest was presented to him, he became distraught, exclaiming:
– You have no right to arrest me! I am a director of the company!

The policeman replied sternly:
— And since you are a director, you should be more accountable to the law.

My sister was screaming and screaming in my arms. For the first time, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Three months later, the trial began. Kuya Hùng was sentenced to 12 years in prison for abuse and domestic violence. As the verdict was read, he even said to my sister:
– When I go out, I will not silence you.

My sister was silent, but she held my hand tightly. I felt like I was born again.

He now lives in the countryside. He had a small business making breads, and a smile returned to his lips.
Every time I look at the old closet, I am still stunned. That’s where it all began—the day I witnessed the true face of the man we called his “perfect husband.”

But I also knew, if I hadn’t gone into hiding then, my sister might still be locked up in the hell she called “happy family” to this day.