My father called me back urgently, and as soon as I saw my mother and the baby, I cried and turned my head and said…

I am Nam, a third-year university student. Since my mother died 5 years ago, my father has lived alone in the countryside. I thought he would be alone forever, never walking again. But then, late one afternoon, the phone rang.

– Nam, let’s go home this weekend, I have something important. – Dad’s voice is deep and determined.

I was nervous in my heart. Something important? Dad was quiet, and he rarely called other than to ask for help. All that night, I tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

On Saturday morning, I dived to catch a car back to my hometown. The familiar road, each row of trees, each old tile roof, suddenly made me feel strange. I walked quickly into the yard. The door of the house opened…

Dad stood there. Next to me was a woman. I was stunned. Then my eyes slid down… the belly—round, big—as if hiding an undeniable secret. I stammered, my heart pounding:
“No… it’s impossible…

The woman looked up. And I was stunned. It was Lan. Lan – an old classmate. Lan – the girl that I secretly loved during my high school years, but never dared to speak.

My legs froze, my mind spinning. The scene in front of me seemed to tear me to pieces. Dad was about to step up, his mouth twitching:
“I… let me speak…

But I couldn’t hear it. Tears welled up, and I turned and ran away, despite my father’s heart-wrenching call behind me.

I ran straight to the riverbank, where I used to fly kites in my childhood, and sat with my mother on cool afternoons. Sitting down, my hands clasped over my head, I screamed in despair. Why Lan? The person I had vaguely thought about all my youth was now standing beside my father, carrying a drop of his blood.

It was a little light, and he found me. He sat down and sighed.
“Nam, I know you’re shocked. But I don’t want to hide you. I’m old… I’ve lived alone for many years, I’m very lonely. I met Lan by chance, and the two of us leaned on each other. Lan loved me, and… I loved you too.

I got up, looked directly into my father’s eyes, and my voice choked bitterly:
“But do you know… did you ever like her? I used to think of her as all my youth! Now she’s my wife… Do you understand how I feel?!

Dad was stunned. His eyes were red, but he was still steadfast:
“I don’t know. If I had… maybe I would have thought otherwise. But Nam, you have to understand… youthful affection is a memory. For now, Lan and the baby need a home.

I laughed bitterly. His words were like a knife in his heart.

The next day, Lan came to see me. She looked at me, her eyes hesitated, her voice trembling:
“Nam… I’m sorry. I know you used to have feelings, but we’re both too young. I used to love you, too, but I never thought we’d be together. Life pushes… I’m finally with my dad. I don’t want to hurt you.

I choked up, my hands clenched:
“I said I didn’t want to, but I chose my father. Do you know that hurts a thousand times?

Lan burst into tears, hugging her pregnant belly as if to protect the child. Looking at that scene, I suddenly felt that I was both hateful and sad, angry and helpless.

That night, I rummaged through the old drawer where my mother’s letter was kept. The familiar handwriting appeared: “Nam, I just hope you will live kindly, love people and cherish your family. If one day you walk again, please forgive me, don’t leave me alone.”

My tears fell all over the page. My heart was both broken and saved.

On the wedding day, I stood outside the gate, looking at my father in a simple suit, Lan in a white dress, and gently rubbing her pregnant belly with her hands. There were waves in my heart. I wanted to rush in, I wanted to shout: “No!” But my legs seemed to be pinned to the ground.

In the end, I just quietly left an envelope:
“I can’t bless you, but I can’t hate you either. I’m leaving, I hope you’re happy.”

I turned my back and walked away. The sound of wedding music echoed behind me, and every step I took seemed to step on my own heart.

My youth, my family – it was all shattered in that moment.