Chapter 3 — Cheating Marriage

“You keep going with her.” But Co Nam Son didn't let me refuse, he grabbed my hand and pulled me into the car. In the car, while driving, he glanced at the rearview mirror, then asked: "Are you angry?" I looked out, the streets receding behind the window: "I know that doing so will make you unhappy, but I still do it." He smiled, as if satisfied with my answer. "Nhiep Oanh's father is very influential in Bac Thanh. My company is about to be listed, I need to make them happy." "Thanh Mien, you need..." I knew what he was going to say, so quickly. interrupted: "I know, I have to understand things better. I will do that." Co Nam Son pursed his lips, I couldn't read the emotions from his face. But whatever it was, it doesn't matter anymore. Co Nam Son said he had booked a restaurant, he would take me out to eat tonight. I did not refuse, because in the afternoon I received a text message: "Believe it or not, with just one word from me, Co Nam Son will leave you and come to me immediately." I know who sent this message, and I also know she is provoking me. But I'm not angry, because I also want to know what Co Nam Son will choose. So I texted back: "If he comes to you, I will do as you wish, divorce him." After that, the other party was silent for a long time. Near the appointment time, Co Nam Son hurriedly walked out, looking worried: "Thanh Mien, I have some urgent work, maybe I can't celebrate your birthday with you." I didn't look at him, just stared at the sunset outside the window. "It's okay, it's rare." Co Nam Son looked guilty: "Thanh Mien, this is really urgent. I'll come right back to you when I'm done." I tried to force a smile: "A Sinh, just go." Go." He looked at me, a little unhappy: "I really have something to do. Don't be like that." I raised my head, every word was clear: "Co Nam Son, you're not angry, okay? I don't want to argue with you either." He said nothing, silently turned away. Before leaving the door, he added: "I'll be back soon, I really won't lie to you." I nodded, but when I was sure he had closed the door, I stood up. I started packing my luggage. I thought that maybe we would have our last meal together, but now it seems like we no longer have the chance. I put each item in the suitcase one by one. It wasn't until today that I realized that I have very few things in this house, which is over 200 square meters large. I only have a few clothes, some personal belongings, and my bank card to receive my salary. I signed the divorce papers, placing it in the most visible place. Co Nam Son will definitely see it, and perhaps he will also be willing to sign that form. As I packed my things into my small apartment, a new message came from the other girl. In the photo, Co Nam Son is pouring water to mix medicine for her. She texted: "Miss Thanh Mien, Director Co only came here because he saw you were sick and wanted to take care of you." I didn't reply, just took a screenshot and sent it back to Co Nam Son, along with the message: "I left the divorce petition on your desk." I did not block or delete your contact, because we still need to resolve property issues after the divorce anyway. I have worked hard with you for many years, I don't want to be the one to sacrifice for others. I looked around my small apartment. This is the house I bought with my savings during 5 years of working. At that time, Co Nam Son asked: "We will buy a bigger house in the future, why did you buy this place?" I replied: "I'm worried that you will leave me in the future, then I will have nowhere to go." He hugged me tightly and said that would never happen. Now, five years later, I can only feel lucky for the clear decision I made then. Otherwise, I would be a middle-aged woman now, after divorcing Co Nam Son,

still have to wander without a place to stay. I showered, arranged my things, then lay down on the bed and slept soundly. That's right, sleep well. Co Nam Son has not brought me a sense of peace for too long. There was even a time when he didn't come home late at night, and I wondered if he was with another woman. In a few days... Will there be a day when a pregnant woman will force me to give up my seat? Will I be kicked out of the house by Co Nam Son at any time? I'm always deep in such worries, but still hope that one day we can return to the way we were before. Until I realized there was no way back. I opened the ticket purchase app on my phone. I've been in Bac Thanh for too long, now I want to go home. Even though in that hometown, I don't have many good memories. Well, just go home tomorrow. I have bought the ticket. As soon as I put the phone down, I heard the bell ring. I picked up the phone. On the other end of the phone, Co Nam Son asked with a trembling voice: "Thanh Mien, where are you?" I did not answer, but asked again: "Have you seen the divorce petition? If so, sign it, so that the lawyer can handle it later." He seemed angry: "Thanh Mien, who gave you permission to divorce? Have you agreed? I will not sign that petition." I was not surprised by his reaction. I have been with him for many years, even though we no longer love each other, he still does not allow me to be the one to leave first. "I advise you to sign. Your company is about to go public, you don't want rumors to appear at this time that you are having an affair in your marriage, right?" As the person who knows Co Nam Son best, I know what is important to him. The company matters, the job matters, the relationships matter. It's just me that's not important. "Thanh Mien, please don't get divorced? Wait for our company to be listed, everything will be fine." I asked him: "What is okay? What is okay? In the past, when we together earned 5,000 a month, living in a room in the basement only cost 500 a month, every day even buying vegetables had to save every penny." "I really don't need the title of 'Grandma Co' anymore. Why?" I didn't answer, just asked again: "Is that something too precious? Worth fighting over?" He laughed: "Something you don't care about, I pay a lot of attention to." "Director Co was very angry yesterday, but I still thank you for saying you can do it. If you decide to leave, don't come back." I remained silent. Actually I said it wrong. I remember the days when we argued with the salesgirls at the market for 5 cents or 1 dime. I like eating rice mixed with grilled meat, so every time we get paid, we often order a meal of rice mixed with grilled meat delivered. Then cook a large pot of rice, add some “Lao Can Ma” chili sauce, and we have a giant pot of mixed rice. Co Nam Son always left the meat for me to eat, while he held a huge bowl of rice and smiled foolishly: "Thanh Mien, you're too skinny, eat more meat." The rice mixed with grilled meat was delicious at that time, I still remember it very clearly. Then we finally made our first coins. For the first time in Beijing, we rented a house with a balcony. Co Nam Son hugged me, spun around on the balcony, and said: "Thanh Mien, we will be better." From that moment on, we no longer needed to order just one mixed rice meal, we could order two, then sit on the balcony to eat and admire the view. I enjoyed that time very much. But Co Nam Son said: