Chapter 5: A Glimmer of Hope

The storm of the previous night had passed, but Minh Hoang's emotions remained turbulent. He sat in the car with Duat Van and Ngoc Han, his hand gripping his phone tightly as he replayed the urgent call Duat Van had received. The moments ticked by in silence, broken only by the hum of the engine and the whistling wind outside the windows.

The car arrived at a lavish villa on the outskirts of the city and came to a halt. Duat Van opened the door and quickly stepped out, his concern evident in his eyes. Minh Hoang and Ngoc Han followed closely behind, sensing the tense atmosphere, as if an undercurrent of turmoil was surging beneath the surface.

Upon entering the villa, two tall figures came into view, filling the space with an unexpected warmth. One had a chiseled face, fair skin, and sharp eyes – Duat Lien, Duat Van's eldest brother. The other was tall and slender, with a cool demeanor that hinted at a gentle nature – Duat Hai, Duat Van's second eldest brother.

"How are you?" Duat Lien approached, patting Duat Van's shoulder, his eyes filled with deep concern.

Duat Hai also moved closer, his gaze never leaving Duat Van. "What happened? How is Father?" His voice was low, his expression revealing his worry.

Duat Van closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and recounted the events of the previous night. Minh Hoang stood by, feeling as though he had stepped into a completely different world, one where power and intense familial concern intertwined.

"Father had an accident?" Ngoc Han repeated, her face etched with disbelief. She couldn't have imagined the situation was so dire.

Duat Van nodded, his eyes now filled with determination. "We can't afford to waste any time. We need to get to the hospital immediately."

Minh Hoang noticed the change in Duat Van, a distinct transformation. He sensed not only responsibility but also the deep affection Duat Van held for his family.

"Are you alright?" Thanh Khai suddenly appeared, standing behind Minh Hoang, causing him to jump. His eyes were still cold, but at this moment, there was something in them that made Minh Hoang feel a sense of comfort.

"Yes, I'm… I'm fine," Minh Hoang quietly replied, avoiding eye contact with Thanh Khai.

Ngoc Han turned to him, her expression serious. "If possible, let Duat Van handle this. There's nothing more we can do besides offer our support."

Thanh Khai remained silent, only giving a slight nod. He knew this wasn't the time for jokes or to add to Minh Hoang's worries. His silence and support were the best he could offer, at least under the circumstances.

As everyone prepared to leave for the hospital, Duat Lien and Duat Hai couldn't stop expressing their concern for their younger brother. "Be careful, Duat Van," Duat Lien said, his hand resting on Duat Van's shoulder, a gesture of love and responsibility. "I'll take care of things here. You don't have to worry about anything else."

Duat Hai also looked at Duat Van with affection. "If you need anything, call us anytime. We're always here for you."

Minh Hoang couldn't help but be moved by the family's affection for one another. He also realized that Duat Van was not only a reliable friend but also someone who had a loving family, something he had never truly experienced.

The journey to the hospital was filled with silence. Minh Hoang sat in the car, his gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside the window, his heart filled with a mix of emotions. His relationships with Thanh Khai and Duat Van seemed to be undergoing a transformation. He wasn't sure where he stood in the midst of it all, but one thing was certain: his feelings for Thanh Khai had never faded.