Chapter 12 — 6 Days to Clean Up Your Estate Then Divorce

It's morning. I didn't sleep all night, but my spirit has never been so alert, like I just finished running a long, breathtaking marathon and finally reached the finish line. The call to the police last night was the end I set for everything. A dot confirmed by the fact, how ridiculous their play was. I texted Ly Tuyet and told him everything about last night. Less than a minute later, her phone called back.

“Hua Tinh, this time you really surprised me.”

Her voice carried undisguised approval.

“I thought you would be soft-hearted, at least hesitant, but I didn't expect you to directly call the police.”

“This move is so beautiful.”

I smiled softly.

“It was you who taught me.”

"Dealing with people who don't know when to stop, you have to use a way that leaves them with no way back."

“So the next step, how do we go?”

“I filed the application for a protection order early this morning.”

Ly Tuyet's voice was firm, as if she had seen the results.

"There is your recording from last night, plus the report of the police arriving at the scene, the court has no reason to deny it."

"Within three days at the latest, a warrant will be issued. At that time, if he dares to come within one hundred meters of the mother and child, he can be immediately detained."

“That's our first card.”

“Second card.”

She continued, her rhythm steady as if she were lining up chess pieces.

"The sale of the house has progressed, the broker has found a real buyer, they do business so they look at the location and interior, and accept a one-time payment."

“The price is eight percent lower than the market, but you can sign today, three days to transfer money.”

“Are you feeling okay?”

My heart fluttered slightly. One-time payment means no more entanglements, no more disputes, no more strings connecting me to him through this house. I answered immediately, without hesitation.

“The faster the better.”

“Okay, I'll arrange it right away.”

"As for the liquidation of the company, the progress is also very fast. There will be a preliminary financial report early next week, then the bankruptcy filing will be completed."

"The divorce summons have already been sent, we are racing against time."

"I get it."

I hung up. The sunlight shines in from the glass door, pouring into streaks of light on the floor. Everything is moving in the right direction, without missing a step. It's time to clean up what's left. I walked into the bedroom and opened the closet that once clearly divided me and him. I pulled out a few large suitcases that had been prepared, and began folding each mother and child's clothes, neatly arranging them as if I was gathering a whole part of my life. Four-season clothes, Niem Niem's little outfits from when I was little that I never wanted to let go of, books, my work laptop, every photo album. I only took away what belonged to the two of us. His vest, shirt, tie, the things I had personally chosen and carefully ironed, all still lay there. I didn't touch a single thing. I opened his nightstand drawer, inside were the watch, cufflinks, and notebook I gave him on our wedding day. I opened it, the first page was the words from that year.

"I vow to hold hands with you forever, until the end of my life."

The handwriting is soft, carrying all the dreams of a young girl. I looked for a long time. But there are no more waves in my heart. Like rereading a stranger's promise. I closed the notebook and put it back same place, with all the things that belonged to him, watch, razor, perfume bottle, all in the same place. I gathered all the household utensils, brushes, towels, cups, put them in a separate bin, then walked into the kitchen, opened the refrigerator, and cleaned out everything inside. Finally, I carried the trash bags out the door. I stood in the middle of the house, looking around. It was strangely empty. All traces of the "Chu family's wife" have been erased by me. Only a shell remains, cold, waiting to change hands. The phone rang. As a broker.

"Miss Hua, the buyer has arrived. The contract has been checked by us. There are no problems. You can come over and sign at any time."

“I'll be right there.”

I picked up my bag, stood at the door, and looked back at the house one last time. The place that once contained enough love, hurt, hope and disappointment for ten years. Then I turned around and closed the door. Don't turn around.