Chapter 6: The Curtain Opens
The afternoon gradually fell, a layer of withered yellow sunlight spread across the shiny wooden floor in the small apartment. The bustling sounds from the street below echoed softly, mixed with the sound of the ceiling fan spinning steadily above, creating a familiar urban symphony. However, the space inside the room was thick with heaviness, like a tense fog covering every corner, overwhelming those familiar sounds. The two young boys had been sent to their grandparents’ house, leaving the apartment strangely quiet, with only the soft clicking of Linh’s laptop as she diligently checked the goods for her online lingerie shop. When she finished, Linh stood in front of the bedroom mirror, looking at herself in a tight-fitting turquoise dress, the soft material hugging her full breasts and showing off her slim waist, highlighting her smooth, flawless white skin. She wore light makeup, her plump lips highlighted with a light pink lipstick, her shoulder-length hair still damp from the shower, faintly smelling of pure jasmine shampoo. Linh’s eyes reflected in the mirror were full of confusion, her hands were shaking as she adjusted her dress, and her heart was pounding as if it was about to jump out of her chest as she thought about the upcoming conversation with her brother – the one who had made love to her that night in Hoi An without her knowing. A deep breath was taken, heavy with determination and anxiety.
A few days before, a terrible shock had come upon Linh when she watched a secretly filmed video. In that film, the naked truth appeared: Troc was the third person, the one who made her moan wildly, her pussy soaked and her face covered in semen. That image kept haunting her mind, haunting her endlessly. Linh locked herself in her room all day crying, her heart torn between the heavy feeling of guilt and the climax of pleasure that had seeped into every cell of her body that night. On one hand, she was angry at Duc Anh for hiding this terrible truth, on the other hand, she was angry at Troc for doing something taboo, breaking all moral boundaries. But strangely, a hidden corner of her heart ached inexplicably when she read the text messages from her brother: “I love you. If you don’t accept, I will go back to Japan.” She tried to deceive herself that she only wanted to keep Troc because of their brotherhood, because of the blood ties that had bound them together for so long, and absolutely not because of the pleasures that haunted her every night – the feeling of his large penis thrusting strongly inside, his hot breath blowing on her ear and her body trembling in extreme pleasure. Even so, Linh also found some relief thanks to Duc Anh’s boundless love and tolerance. She knew he loved her deeply, but the anger was still there, urging her to hear both of them explain clearly to end everything once and for all. Deep in her soul, the scale of reason still leaned heavily towards rejection; the moral boundary was like a solid steel wall, absolutely impossible to overcome.
Duc Anh walked into the room, his usual calm demeanor maintained, but his eyes revealed nervousness and worry. He gently hugged her from behind, kissing her nape, the faint scent of perfume from her made him feel a little bit of desire but he quickly restrained himself. His gentle voice rang out: “Honey, are you okay? Brother Troc is coming soon.” Linh nodded, her voice small and trembling: “I’m fine… but I don’t know what to say to him now.” Duc Anh stroked her hair, his eyes sincere, full of understanding: “Just tell me the truth. Don’t be shy. I’ll go out for a while, so you and Brother Troc can talk privately, so you can be most comfortable. Okay?” Linh glared at him, her voice angry but still containing a hint of coquetry: “Honey, don’t do anything strange anymore. I’m still very angry with you.” However, she did not push him away. Feeling the warmth from his arms, her heart felt a little lighter, although still tangled and troubled.
The sudden ringing of the doorbell startled Linh, her heart beating so fast it felt like it was about to burst out of her chest. Duc Anh held her hand and led her to the living room, then slowly opened the door. Troc walked in, wearing a chalk gray shirt and dark jeans, his usual rugged appearance, but his gentle face now tinged with sadness and his eyes were sincere when he looked at Linh. She avoided his gaze, walked to the sofa, her hands clutching her skirt so tightly that it was wrinkled, her cold voice trying to appear determined: “You… sit down.” Duc Anh smiled, trying to break the heavy atmosphere: “Okay, I’m going to the supermarket to buy some things. You two just talk freely. I’ll be right back.” He winked at Troc meaningfully, patted his shoulder, then left the apartment, leaving behind an awkward atmosphere that was like a thick fog that was hard to penetrate, pressing down on both of them.
Linh sat across from Troc, her eyes looking down at the floor, her hands clutching her skirt so tightly that it wrinkled, her voice trembling, filled with anger and extreme pain: “You… tell me, what do you want? How dare you do that to me? What are you thinking?” Troc sat up straight, his eyes sincere, his voice gentle, trying to suppress his usual rudeness so as not to scare her more. He took a deep breath as if gathering all his courage and then spoke slowly, each word carefully considered: “Linh, I know you’re angry, you’re hurt, and I don’t blame you. But I have to tell you the truth, because I don’t want to hide anything from you anymore.”
Linh looked up, her eyes filled with anger and confusion, her voice high and questioning: “Honestly? You did that to me, do you dare to say it honestly? Do you think I will believe you?” Troc lowered his head, his voice choked but still gentle, each word seemed to touch her heart: “Linh, I’m sorry for that night, for not telling you in advance. I was wrong, I know that. But I don’t regret it… because I did it with all the love I have for you.” He stopped and looked straight into her eyes, his eyes sincere, as if wanting her to see through his sinful but also loving heart: “I love you, Linh, not just a simple brotherly love. In Japan, I secretly looked at your pictures through Uncle Duc Anh’s posts – short dresses, bikinis, nightgowns. You’re so beautiful, so seductive that I miss you every day. I crave you, but more than that, I love you, I just want you to be happy, want you to be truly happy.”
Linh was in utter shock, her face flushed red, tears streaming down uncontrollably, her voice shaking with horror and pain: “You… why did you say that? You are my brother! You can’t be like this! That was wrong, don’t you understand how ashamed I was?” She sobbed, her shoulders shaking violently. Troc sighed, his voice gentle, trying to touch her heart: “I understand. I know this is wrong in everyone’s eyes, but I don’t feel wrong in loving you, Linh. I respect you, I respect Duc Anh for giving me the opportunity to be close to you that night. I thank him because he truly loves you, and I do too.”
He took out his phone and opened an old photo: Linh holding Troc’s hand, smiling brightly under the summer sun, a heartbreakingly clear memory. “When I was little, I always protected you, beat up the friends who bullied you, secretly bought you ice cream. I still want that now, but I also love you like… a woman, Linh. I won’t force you, if you don’t accept it, I’ll go to Japan and won’t bother you anymore. But I hope you’ll reconsider, give me a chance to prove that I love you, not just because of lust.” Linh trembled, tears falling and wetting her dress, her voice faltering but this time full of determination: “You… don’t say anymore. I can’t accept this.”
She was torn apart, memories rushing back like a huge wave, making her heart ache. She remembered Troc taking her to school, carrying her on his back through flooded roads, secretly giving her money to buy candy when her mother scolded her. But immediately, the image of him making love to her, his hard penis thrusting hard, his hot breath making her pussy wet again haunted her, making her tremble with guilt. She kept asking herself: Why did I feel so happy that night? Why? She wiped her tears, her voice determined as if she wanted to give up everything: “I can’t, Troc. I want all of us to forget that night. Please, don’t mention it again.”
Troc bowed his head, his eyes filled with sadness, his voice choked: “I understand. If that’s what you want, I respect your decision. I won’t force you.” He stood up, his voice low, trying to hide the pain that was surging in his heart: “I’ll go to Japan, I won’t bother you anymore. I wish you two happiness.” Linh sobbed, feeling as if her heart was being squeezed, she wanted to hold him back but couldn’t say a word, only nodding: “You… go safely.” She covered her face, tears falling and wetting the sofa, her heart felt torn apart: Why do I feel so empty? Am I doing the right thing? Am I doing something wrong?
Duc Anh returned to see Troc standing outside the door, his gaunt face filled with sadness. He patted Troc’s shoulder: “Brother, what’s going on? What did my wife say?” Troc sighed hoarsely: “Linh doesn’t accept it, uncle. Your wife wants to forget that night. I respect her, but she’s very sad.” Duc Anh patted Troc’s shoulder, his eyes firm and determined: “Brother, don’t give up so quickly. I know Linh is angry, but deep down she doesn’t want you to go anywhere. I’ll convince her more, just believe me.” Troc nodded, his eyes still filled with sadness: “Thank you, uncle, but I don’t want to make things difficult for you and your wife anymore. If Linh doesn’t accept it, I’ll leave.” He stepped into the elevator, then suddenly turned back to look at Duc Anh: “Uncle, take good care of your wife. Linh deserves to be happy.” Duc Anh nodded, determined: “I’ll do everything. Just wait for my news.”
That night, Linh sat quietly on the sofa, hugging her pillow, her eyes swollen from crying. Her phone suddenly lit up, a message from Troc appeared: “I will fly back to Japan earlier than expected. I wish you happiness, always be happy with Duc Anh. I will never forget that night. I apologize for everything, I will miss you, like a younger sister and like the woman I love.” The message was affectionate and sincere, accompanied by an old photo: the two siblings smiling brightly under the banyan tree. Linh cried so hard that her tears soaked the phone screen, her heart felt empty as if a big hole had been dug out. A feeling of emptiness enveloped her, even though she didn’t want him to leave, she also couldn’t accept that incestuous relationship .
She hugged her pillow, memories of their close friendship kept flooding back, intertwined with the image of Troc Dem’s “some” eyes – both longing and sincere. She kept blaming herself: Did I do the right thing? If he left forever, would I regret it? She didn’t reply to the message but didn’t delete it either, letting it lie dormant in her phone’s memory, like an emotional void that couldn’t be filled. That night, she sat on the sofa hugging her pillow, her eyes swollen, looking for Duc Anh to confide: “Honey… Troc texted me saying he was going to Japan. I don’t know why, but I feel lost, like I’ve lost something very important.” She cried, her tears soaking his shirt: “I’m angry with him, but I don’t want him to leave forever.”
Duc Anh hugged her, his voice gentle and understanding: “I understand. You don’t want to lose Troc, right? You’re angry, but deep down you still love him, like a brother, and maybe… maybe more.” Linh shook her head, her voice trembling: “No, I don’t love him like that! I just… don’t want to lose a brother!” But her eyes avoided him, as if afraid he would see through the truth behind that lie. Duc Anh held her hand tightly, his voice sincere: “Troc really loves you, baby. He doesn’t force you, he just wants you to be happy. I saw you happy that night, your pussy was wet, moaning with excitement, you were more beautiful than ever. I don’t want you to restrain yourself, because I love you no matter how much you want, no matter what you crave.”
Linh blushed and pushed him away weakly: “Brother, don’t mention that! I’m so embarrassed!” Duc Anh held her hand tighter, not letting go: “After this incident, I love and respect you even more, because you dare to live true to your instincts. I believe that Troc does too. I thank you for accompanying me in this matter even though you had to suffer many disadvantages. I promise to always be by your side, no matter what you decide.” Linh cried, rubbing her face against his chest, her voice choked: “Honey… you don’t look down on me, do you?”
Duc Anh stroked her hair, his warm voice like an absolute reassurance: “No, my love. Never. I love you more, and so does Troc. You are the one I love the most, forever.” Linh was torn apart, the pure memories of their brotherhood, the climax of the “some” night and Duc Anh’s tolerant love intertwined, making her unable to stand on her own two feet. She kept thinking: He truly loves… Troc too. If I let him go, will I regret it? Will I miss out on anything? Troc’s image lingered in my mind again. She spoke softly, her voice choked, almost surrendering to fate: “Okay… I lose to you two.”
Duc Anh happily shouted with joy, hugged her tightly, kissed her forehead: “Honey, I love you! I know!” He smiled brightly: “But I will keep it a secret from Mr. Troc to surprise him. Do you agree?” Linh nodded, smiled through her tears, her heart was relieved but still confused: “Honey, don’t do anything too much. I’m still not sure!” She lied to herself again: I do this for my husband, for Mr. Troc, not for the pleasure. Not because I really like it.
On the weekend, Duc Anh and Linh drove the SUV to their maternal home in the suburbs of Hanoi, both to visit their family and to pick Troc up at the airport. The sky was blue, the cool breeze blew through the green rice fields, creating a peaceful scene. However, the atmosphere in the car was filled with tension and excitement, like an invisible string pulling the minds of all three people. Linh sat in the passenger seat, wearing a tight black dress, the elastic material tightly hugging her big breasts and highlighting her white thighs. The short dress revealed her long, slender legs, light makeup, and red lips that made Duc Anh occasionally steal glances. She winked, her voice flirtatiously teasing: “Honey, drive carefully, don’t look at me and lose control of the wheel!” Duc Anh smiled: “You’re so beautiful, how can I stand it!”
They turned to look at Troc sitting in the back seat, he was still sad, his eyes were sad as he looked out the window, his phone in his hand looking at old photos of him and Linh. He was wearing a light blue shirt, trousers, his face was haggard and lifeless. Duc Anh and Linh almost burst out laughing but tried to hold back to keep it a secret, their eyes exchanged hidden meanings. Linh felt the deep sadness from her brother.
In the middle of the highway, Duc Anh suddenly turned onto the exit, the car drove onto a winding road leading to a resort halfway up the mountain. The surrounding trees, the cool and pleasant air, the chirping of birds echoed, painting a beautiful picture of nature. Troc was startled: “Are you lost? The airport is not in this direction!” Duc Anh smiled slyly, his eyes sparkling with mischief: “Did you forget that I have something interesting to show you? Get off!”
Linh, without waiting for any further words from Duc Anh, quickly opened the car door and rushed straight into the villa, heading towards the bathroom. She wanted to escape, to calm the chaos in her mind, or perhaps some unconscious instinct was urging her to find the most private place, where she could face herself before facing Troc again.
Troc was stunned and still not understanding what was going on, Duc Anh urged: Hey, come in, I still have to go to work. As if suddenly understanding something, Troc hurriedly ran after him. He entered the quiet living room, did not see Linh anywhere, but the sound of running water from the bathroom echoed clearly. That sound alone was enough to stimulate Troc’s imagination. He imagined Linh’s naked body under the water, soft curves, white skin. His cock became even harder, hotter, an intense desire to the extreme, burning his heart.
Duc Anh stopped by the car, smiling meaningfully. He was confident in his plan, knowing that Linh, although still torn, no longer wanted to completely deny her feelings. The tense atmosphere enveloped the villa, suggesting a meeting full of lust and unpredictable emotions, leaving a big question in the reader’s mind: Will Linh cross the moral boundary she has tried to maintain for so long, accept her hidden instincts, or will she forever be torn in this sinful and ironic love?