Chapter 1 — After the Cracks, I Become Myself

Standing outside the door listening to my husband seduce my first love, I silently checked out and left at night. By the time he found me, he had gone completely crazy. The light in the hotel hallway cast a pale yellow color. On Nhuoc Van stood in front of the door of room 6018, quietly hearing the soft laughter of a strange woman coming from inside. She didn't knock on the door. Don't cry or make a fuss. Just calmly turned around, pulled the suitcase and walked straight into the night. Two years later. Outside a pottery factory in the southern town of Loc Khe. As soon as Wen Nhuoc Van raised his head, he saw Pho Hanh Chi standing in the rain. He is much thinner than two years ago. Rainwater flowed down her hair, her voice was so hoarse that it was almost soundless.

"Nhuoc Van... that year, why didn't you ask me a single question?"

The hotel hallway was strangely quiet. Only the low hum of the central air conditioning system remained. Wen Nhuoc Van stood in front of the door of room 6018, looking at Pho Hanh Chi's location dot on the phone screen that was so bright it was blinding. A streak of warm light shined from the crack in the door. Inside, a woman's gentle voice could be heard faintly. Not TV sound. Wen Nhuoc Van is very certain. That voice carried a smile, the tone was gentle, as if he was coddling someone very close. She didn't knock on the door. Also don't ring the bell. Just stood there for three minutes. One hand tightened on the handle of the suitcase, the whole person was stunned. Until I let go. She gently placed the suitcase on the hallway carpet and turned to leave. The emergency exit sign at the end of the hallway emitted a pale blue light, lengthening her lonely shadow on the ground. She walked very slowly. Also very quiet. As if afraid of alarming something. Arriving in front of the elevator, she pressed the button to go down. The moment the elevator door opened, she turned her head to look behind her. The hallway is still empty. The door to room 6018 has never been opened from beginning to end. Just like for the past year. There are so many invisible doors that Pho Hanh Chi has closed in front of her. On Nhuoc Van stepped into the elevator and quietly watched the two doors slowly close. The hotel lobby is brightly lit. The girl at the front desk was bowing her head, arranging papers, looked up at her, then looked down again. Wen Nhuoc Van completed the procedures to return her room. Payment completed. Two o'clock in the morning. There are not many taxis left on the street. She stood in front of the hotel door for more than ten minutes before waiting for one.

"Let me go to the train station."

The driver looked at her in the rearview mirror, but didn't ask anything else. The street lights outside the window move backwards one after another. Wen Nhuoc Van leaned her head against the window, clutching the phone in her palm. She opened the chat box. Type a message.

"Pho Hanh Chi, you don't need to explain anymore. From now on, everyone will live their own life."

Forty seconds later. Messages displayed have been viewed. One more minute. He only texted back three words.

"Where are you?"

On Nhuoc Van stared at those three words for a long time. Finally... She turned off the phone. There weren't many people in the station waiting room. There were only a few passengers waiting for the early train. Wen Nhuoc Van bought the nearest ticket to the South. She didn't even bother to look closely at her destination. Just feels... The farther the better. Time to check tickets. She lowered her head to search for her ID card in her pocket, her fingertips accidentally touching it a hard object. It's her wedding ring with Pho Hanh Chi. Two days before washing the dishes, she took off the ring and put it in her pocket and forgot to take it out. A plain silver ring. The inside is engraved with the date of the couple's marriage. Wen Nhuoc Van clasped the ring in her palm, went through the security door and boarded the train. After the train moved. She kept the ring in the deepest compartment of her suitcase. Don't throw it away. Won't wear it again either. Outside the window. It's still dark. On Nhuoc Van leaned back in the chair and gently closed his eyes. She didn't cry. Not without heartbreak. It hurts so much that no tears can fall. Wen Nhuoc Van and Pho Hanh Chi have known each other since college. She studies ceramics. He studied architecture. A very normal love affair in the classroom. Eat together in the cafeteria. Study together in the library. After graduation, we will be together. Then get married. In everyone's eyes, they are a match made in heaven. Pho Hanh Chi is handsome, quiet, and works maturely. On Nhuoc Van is gentle, every time she smiles, her eyes curl, her voice is also very soft. All my friends said. This is the couple that makes others feel the most secure. But entering the second year after getting married. Wen Nhuoc Van gradually felt that something was wrong. Pho Hanh Chi worked more and more overtime. In the past, no matter how busy he was, he would come home before ten o'clock at night. Then it became eleven o'clock. Twelve o'clock. There were even days when I only returned at one or two in the morning. He explained that the project was entering a critical phase. Wen Nhuoc Van believes. His phone also started facing down on the table. He had never avoided her before. Now every time I answer the phone I go to the balcony, close the door, and deliberately lower my voice. On Nhuoc Van did not ask. Until one day. Pho Hanh Chi went to take a shower. His phone suddenly lit up. At that moment, Wen Nhuoc Van was packing up the coat he had just changed into. Message pops up. With just one glance, she saw it.

"Hanh Chi, my exhibition opens this Friday. Will you come? You helped me a lot with the last plan. This time you must come."

Note name: Tong Thanh Nghi. Wen Nhuoc Van knows this name. Pho Hanh Chi's high school classmate. Also studied architecture, currently working as a curator at a design office. During high school, their relationship was very good.