Chapter 15 — 6 Days to Clean Up Your Estate Then Divorce

Our flight was early the next morning. We didn't tell anyone and left like two people running away from a past that no longer belonged to us. The plane landed and the warm, humid air of the new city rushed in, like a strange but pleasant hug. The new house is located in an old neighborhood, small but warm, with a sunny balcony and green potted plants. Niem Niem held my hand and walked in, running through the rooms, clear laughter rang out, dispelling everything that was left behind. I stood on the balcony, looking at the dappled tree shadows in the afternoon light, and my phone vibrated. Ly Tuyet called.

"The verdict is out, the two of you are officially divorced."

“Congratulations on starting again.”

I hung up the phone, looked at the horizon glowing with sunset light, the girl hugged me from behind.

“Mom, I like this place.”

I turned around and hugged my child tightly.

“Me too.”

“Welcome to our new home.”

New life gradually stabilizes. The house is on a high floor, has a large yard, I turned it into a small garden full of trees, Niem Niem's favorite place. Every day when she comes home from school, she sits there drawing, her eyes brightening little by little. My child's new school is an international school, with strict security, without my permission, no one can approach him. The child quickly made new friends and his smile became brighter and brighter. I opened a small design studio right at home, working the way I want, no longer forcing myself to exhaustion. Only take on projects you like, live slowly, but live authentically. Ly Tuyet occasionally called to update the situation on the other side. The house was divided, the company was liquidated, he didn't cause any more trouble, everything ended more neatly than expected.

"The protection order is already in place. With that paper, he won't dare to come close again."

Her voice was relieved. I just replied softly. A person who once had everything, now lost all the right to speak up. It's not because I'm stronger. But because I dared to leave.

“There's one more thing.”

Ly Tuyet's voice paused for a moment, as if considering whether to speak or not.

“His parents asked someone to find me a few days ago, asked for your address, and said they wanted to visit Niem Niem.”

My heart does not waver.

“How do you answer?”

"I said you took your child abroad and won't come back again. I don't know the address either."

“I sent them back.”

"Good job."

I looked at her watering the plants on the balcony, her small figure in the sunset, lingering like a gentle streak of light. This is our world. I won't let anyone break it again.

“Ah, and this.”

Ly Tuyet continued.

“About him.”

“I heard life isn't going very well these days.”

I remained silent, did not respond, it no longer had anything to do with me.

"The money he received was almost exhausted in less than half a year."

I was a bit surprised, that amount of money is enough for a person to live comfortably for a long time if they know how to keep it.

"His parents got sick and spent a lot of money. Then he invested in a project and got scammed."

"Now the whole family moved to the suburbs to rent a small house, and the old house was also sold to pay off debt."

I can imagine that scene, falling from above, with nothing left to hold on to.

“He is looking everywhere for work.”

Ly Tuyet's voice carried a bit of exclamation.

"But I'm used to being a manager, I don't accept small jobs, I'm not qualified for big jobs, and I get rejected everywhere I go."

“Someone still sees you I quarreled with a small company because they only paid eight thousand a month.”

An amount that was not enough for one of his meals. After listening, my heart was as quiet as a shallow lake. Is it pitiful? Maybe yes. But that's the path he chose for himself. Every step, every price, is set by him.

“Did he… ask about me.”

I ask, not because I miss you, nor because I still have feelings. Just want to end a part of my life. The other end of the line was silent for a long time. Ly Tuyet spoke slowly.

“He asked, do you ever regret it?”