Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, two decades have passed. In recent years, my husband’s health has declined, and he has been in and out of the hospital.
Earlier this year, he was diagnosed with late-stage lung cancer. During his final months, my daughter and I took turns caring for him, while his two sons from his previous marriage visited occasionally. He passed away early last month.
The funeral was a solemn affair, and his sons fulfilled their duties, following traditional customs. After the funeral, I found myself alone in an empty house, feeling sad and lost. Thankfully, my daughter is very considerate and often calls to comfort me, even suggesting that I move in with her so she can take care of me.
As I was preparing to pack my bags, I received a call from Thành, my husband’s eldest son.
– Auntie Nga, are you free tomorrow? My brother and I would like to talk to you about something.
I was suspicious of their intentions but agreed to meet with them.

During his final months, my daughter and I took turns caring for my husband. (Illustration)
The next morning, my husband’s sons arrived early, looking uneasy and somber. After some hesitation, Thành spoke up:
– Auntie Nga, it’s like this… We want to discuss something with you about our mother.
I was taken aback, unsure of their intentions, as my husband’s ex-wife had passed away long ago. Nonetheless, I remained calm and listened.
– As you know, when our mother passed away, we were very young, and our family was facing financial difficulties. The funeral was modest. We’ve always felt guilty about it and wanted to do something for her. Now, we want to move her remains to a better location with better feng shui.
I understood their wish and had no objections. However, Thành hesitated again:
– But… moving the remains is expensive, and we’re not in a good financial situation ourselves. We hope that you can contribute, as you are also family.
At that moment, I realized that they wanted me to chip in financially. I felt a twinge of bitterness and discomfort. They always referred to me as family, but had they ever truly considered me as such? They had always maintained a distant and formal relationship with me. Nonetheless, I agreed to contribute 50 million VND.
Hearing this, their faces lit up, and they expressed their gratitude.
A few days later, my husband’s ex-wife’s remains were moved to a better location. I was present for the ceremony. Seeing his sons crying at the grave, my heart was filled with mixed emotions.
My husband’s sons had asked me to contribute financially to moving their mother’s remains. (Illustration)
After the ceremony, the sons invited me into their home to talk. I felt uneasy again, wondering what else they wanted to discuss. After some hesitation, Thành spoke up:
– When our mother passed away, she left a few things behind, and we want to share them with you.
They retrieved an old box from a drawer, containing some jewelry and a savings book. However, I firmly declined their offer. Seeing my determination, they eventually put the items away.
I thought the matter was concluded, but they brought up the house that my husband had left behind. I understood that they wanted to discuss the inheritance. Not interested in the assets, and not wanting to create tension, I took the initiative to say:
– The house is your father’s asset, so it’s reasonable for both of you to inherit it. I don’t want to dispute it. I just hope that you will live well and not disappoint your father.
Hearing this, they expressed their gratitude and joy. Soon after, I moved out of the house I had lived in for 20 years and went to live with my daughter. My husband’s youngest son and his family moved into the house, as they were facing difficulties and didn’t have a place of their own.
I assumed that my daughter and I would no longer have any contact with my husband’s sons, but last weekend, they surprised us by visiting with their families. They brought gifts, homemade food, and a box of health supplements, saying, “The weather has been hot lately, so please take care of your health, Auntie.”
They stayed for lunch, chatting with my daughter like family, and even insisted on doing the dishes. I didn’t ask any questions or say much. I just stood in the kitchen, watching, and suddenly felt a sense of lightness. I realized that sometimes, you don’t need to demand anything; as long as you live with sincerity, time will provide the answers.
I am no longer a stranger in that house, and I won’t be alone in the years to come.
“Trấn Thành Affectionately Calls Hari Won ‘Sister’ While Phương Oanh Breaks Down in Tears Holding Her Baby”
“Delving into the world of parenthood, Phương Oanh offers a captivating glimpse into her journey as a mother through her vlog. With heartfelt candor, she documents the intimate moments and experiences of raising her child, offering a heartwarming insight into her life. In a separate yet equally endearing gesture, Trấn Thành takes to words to express his adoration for his beloved Hari Won, painting a picture of a loving and devoted partner.”