Chapter 7 — After Divorce, We Learn to Love Again

At the age of twenty-one, he was able to take charge of an entire branch of the Khuong family alone. But after getting married... I'm just... A woman who sits and waits for her husband to come home every day. A woman must skillfully manage her mother-in-law. A person loses all of her career, relationships and abilities, leaving only the title of "wife". I gave up my career. Give up the future. Give up everything. Just to wholeheartedly focus on being a good wife. What can I get in return? Just a cold sentence from him.

"Stop making trouble, I don't have time."

That's enough. From today... I will no longer be anyone's dependent. I am Khuong Niem. She is the mother of An An and Lac Lac. And also the master of your own life. At ten o'clock in the morning, I took my two children to the market near my house to buy some food. One o'clock in the afternoon, after putting Lac Lac to sleep, I turned on the computer. The first thing... Is to register a company. Company name... I thought about it for a long time. Niem An Logistics. Recite Remembrance of peace. That's the promise... I make to myself. And also for the two children. The fifth day since Co Tram Chu launched the entire search network throughout city A. I received a message from Thanh Hoa's people reinstalling there.

"Mr. Co has hired a private detective."

"They are currently investigating your second passport."

I put down the phone.

"Did he find out?"

"But with his abilities, it's only three to five days at most."

"That's enough."

I calmly replied.

"Three to five days..."

"My company has also registered."

"But if he really finds out you're in Star City..."

"It's no use even if he comes."

I pushed a file in front of Thanh Hoa.

"What is this?"

"Legal consultant contract with a law office in Tinh city."

"I have filed for divorce according to the law here."

"The laws in Star City are not exactly the same as City A."

"Even if Co Tram Chu flew over, he couldn't force me or the two children to go."

"But there's custody rights..."

"Two babies were born in city A."

"But on the birth certificate..."

"Father's name field is still blank."

"From a legal perspective, he is still not recognized as the father of the two children."

"Want to confirm paternity..."

"Must have a DNA test."

"And that requires my consent."

"If I don't cooperate..."

"He won't be able to do anything."

Thanh Hoa quietly looked at me.

"You really have thought of everything."

I smiled softly.

"It's not because I'm smart."

"I was forced to this point."

I picked up the phone. Open an old photo. The photo was taken last fall. At that time I was six months pregnant. The belly has protruded very clearly. I wore a baggy sweater and sat in the sun in the private yard. Face is a bit swollen. Dark eye circles. Because I hardly slept the whole night before. Lac Lac's stomach was so upset. I still laugh. Because that day... For the first time, I felt my two children move at the same time. One kid on the left. One kid on the right. As if greeting mother.

"Back then..."

"I intended to send this photo to Co Tram Chu."

"And then what?"

"Then..."

"I reopened our chat history."

"The last text message he sent was three months ago."

You won't come home tonight. Do not wait.

"Previous message..."

"It was for me to deliver a file to the secretary."

"And the previous message..."

"Tell me to remind Uncle Truong to take the car for maintenance."

I turned the phone screen face down.

"All..."

"They're all just work-related instructions."

"Not a single question asked if I was okay."

"What are you doing?"

"Do you miss me?"

"So..."

"You didn't send it."

"I didn't send it."

Having finished speaking, I slowly stood up. Then walked to the window. Outside the window is the bustling scene of Tinh city. The sounds of street vendors, the sound of motorbike engines, and the sounds of children laughing all blend together, creating the very simple sounds of life. I spoke softly:

"Thanh Hoa, do you know what the best decision of my life was?"

"Not leaving the Co family."

"Keep your two children with you."

I turned my head to look at the two children sleeping soundly in the crib.

"If that day I told Co Tram Chu that I was pregnant, what would happen to the two children?"

"His mother will take them away."

"She will hire the best nannies, send them to the most expensive schools, and raise them to become heirs to the Co family."

"They won't know their mother's scent."

"I don't know what it feels like to be held in my mother's arms at three in the morning, singing and coaxing me to sleep."

"Will also..."

I suddenly stopped. Throat tight.

"Won't that happen?"

Thanh Hoa asked softly.

"Won't..."

"Be loved."

Right at that moment. The phone rings. It's a strange number. City area code A. I glanced at it and then turned off the phone. Three seconds later. The bell rang again. I continued to turn it off. Come the third time. I just picked up the phone.

"Khuong Niem."

It's Co Tram Chu's voice. Thousands of kilometers apart, that voice was still as low as before, mixed with a bit of hoarseness due to the many nights of staying up working. Before... Just hearing your voice. My heart will beat a beat faster. But now... Not anymore.