Chapter 5 — After Divorce, I Made Tra Nam Bankrupt

Lawyer Chu's words came true. Even faster and more intense than expected. That evening, I had just finished the first sketch and was stretching to go pour water when suddenly there was a violent banging sound outside the door.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Each blow seemed like it wanted to break the door open, the force was so strong that the whole apartment shook. I was startled, approached the door, looked through the cat's eyes. A face contorted with anger was pressed against the door. It's Co Trinh. His hair was disheveled, his eyes were bloodshot, and his expensive suit was now wrinkled like a rag. He looked like a cornered animal. I don't open the door. I calmly took out my phone, preparing to call security. Outside the door, his screams penetrated the door:

"Tu Nhien! Open the door!"

"I know you're in there! Come out here for me!"

"You cruel woman! What have you done to my account!"

He finally knew. I put the phone to my ear and heard the operator's gentle voice:

“Hello, this is the security center of Anh Duong apartment complex.”

"I'm in building A, room 1503, someone is breaking down the door. Please send security to help handle it."

My voice was so calm that even I found it strange. Hanging up, I paid no attention to the cursing outside, returned to the drawing board, picked up the pen and continued to complete the design. The noisy sound outside the door became the background for my creative process. Seeing that I didn't react, Co Trinh cursed even more fiercely:

"You cruel woman! Do you think you can threaten me like that?"

“I tell you, you can't even get a single penny!”

"You still dare to send someone to bother Vi Vi! She is so honest, why do you treat her like that!"

"Quickly pay her back! Immediately!"

Hearing the name Hua Vi, my hand holding the pen stopped a bit. It seems that the letter from lawyers Chu and Hua Vi has also been received. This performance… is so satisfying.

"Tu Nhien! Are you deaf! I'm talking to you!"

"Open the door! Let's talk clearly!"

“Do you believe I will break this door!”

His voice gradually turned into panic, even with a bit of choking:

“Why do you treat me like that?”

"We've been husband and wife for three years, don't you have any love left?"

"My cards are all locked! I'm penniless now! How do you want me to live?"

“Do you want to force me to death?”

I laughed coldly. When he leisurely used our shared money to please "white moon light", why didn't he think he was forcing me to death? In the hallway, there was the sound of rapid footsteps. Security finally arrived.

“Sir, please calm down!”

"Who are you? What are you doing here?"

I heard Co Trinh arguing with the security guard.

"I'm her husband! I came to find my wife, what does it have to do with you guys!"

“Sir, you have seriously affected the residents' lives, please leave immediately.”

"I'm not going! This is my family's business!"

“If you don't leave, we'll call the police!”

A scuffle and curses rang out, then gradually faded away. I walked to the door, looking through the cat's eyes. Co Trinh was being held by two tall security guards, each holding one arm and pulling him straight towards the elevator. He still kept struggling, turned around and shouted towards my door: "Tu Nhien! Just wait." there! I won't forgive you! You ungrateful thing! Without me, you are nothing!” His figure quickly disappeared in the elevator. The whole space immediately became quiet again. I leaned my back against the door and slowly exhaled. There was no longer fear, no anger, not even a ripple in my heart, only a peaceful feeling like everything had ended. Co Trinh, look, without you I still live very well. On the contrary, without the Co family's money, he would truly be nothing. I picked up my phone and sent lawyer Chu a text message: "He's here, pulled away by security." Attorney Chu responded almost immediately: “Good job. If he still comes, immediately notify the police and apply for a personal safety order." I put down the phone and walked to the ground-level glass window. The city outside was brightly lit, like a galaxy. I looked at my face reflected in the glass, calm, cold but determined. The Tu Nhien of the past, who once humbled himself to the bottom for love, has died. Died at the noisy wedding party that day, died the moment Co Trinh followed Hua Vi to leave the hall. The person standing here now is a completely new me, a Tu Nhien who only lives for herself. I smiled slightly, returned to the drawing board, and put the final stroke on the design. The phoenix in the painting spread its wings and flew high, the light in its eyes was brighter than the stars outside. The next day, I received a call from Hua Vi, it was a strange number but I had a hunch it was her. I pressed listen and turned on recording at the same time. On the other end of the line came a suppressed sob, soft and pitiful, exactly the way she used to do.

“Hello?” I spoke up, my voice calm.

“…Miss Tu Nhien?” Hua Vi's voice carries a heavy nasal sound, so soft that it makes people feel soft. “It's you, Hua Vi.”

"What is up?" My voice showed no emotion.

She seemed to be choked by my cold attitude. She was silent for a few seconds, then her crying became clearer: "Miss Tu Nhien... did I do something wrong?" I received a letter from your lawyer, but I... I don't understand. Which is marital property, which is an illegal gift... I really don't know what you are talking about." I silently listened to her performance.

“That three hundred thousand was loaned to me by Mr. Trinh to treat my mother. My mother is seriously ill and needs money urgently for surgery. Mr. Trinh... he's just kind enough to help me. We're just normal old friends, it's really not what you think. How could you misunderstand him, misunderstand me like that?”

Her voice was full of self-pity and pain, as if I was the one who was wrong. If it were before, perhaps I would have softened my heart and even blamed myself for thinking narrowly. But now, I just find it ridiculous. A person can calmly accept three hundred thousand from a married man, wears branded clothes, goes to luxurious places, has exquisite makeup... but says he needs money to treat his mother's illness, it's such a cheap lie. It's okay to fool Co Trinh, but you still want to fool me?

“Are you done yet?” I coldly interrupted.

Hua Vi's crying immediately stopped.