Chapter 7 — Divorced and Reborn: My New Beginning

Commander Luc, when you were stationed on the front lines all those years ago, it was truly impossible for you to manage everything back home. It is only natural that Comrade To holds some resentment in her heart.

Her words sounded like an attempt at mediation, yet they cleverly painted me as a bitter, vengeful woman. I looked her straight in the eye.

Comrade Diep is certainly talented at speaking on behalf of others. However, the affairs between Luc Tranh and me are none of your business.

Diep Dung’s eyes grew red.

I didn’t mean anything by it.

Luc Tranh spoke in a low, heavy voice: Diep Dung, you should head back first.

Diep Dung was stunned. Commander Luc…

Go on.

She bit her lip and turned away, storming off. I had no desire to continue watching this theatrical performance.

Luc Tranh, the divorce agreement has been signed. See that the child support is sent on time. If you wish to visit our daughter, you must notify me in advance, and she will only see you if she is willing. Do not show up unannounced; it disrupts my business.

Luc Tranh stared at me intently. You have changed.

I handed a package wrapped in oil paper to a customer, accepted the payment, and returned the change. People have to keep living.

He remained silent for a long time. Finally, he withdrew an envelope from his pocket. This is the compensation money for the past few years.

I did not take it. Give exactly what was written in the agreement. I do not need the excess.

Luc Tranh furrowed his brow. Is it really so necessary for you to draw such a clear line between us?

I raised my head to look at him. If not, what else? Commander Luc, you are no longer my husband.

That sentence caused his expression to darken completely. As he left, his posture seemed unnaturally rigid. Phung Tieu Mai stepped closer and whispered, Sister, do you think he regrets it now?

I lowered my head and continued slicing meat. Regret is worthless.

Yet, I did not expect Luc Tranh’s repentance to manifest so quickly. The following day, he brought the household registration documents and our daughter’s school enrollment papers. On the third day, he sent someone to deliver a new pair of cotton-padded shoes. On the fourth day, he brought Hua Que Lan to the front of my shop. Hua Que Lan’s face flickered between shades of green and white. Luc Tranh stood beside her, his voice chillingly cold.

Apologize.

Hua Que Lan refused. I am your mother!

Luc Tranh insisted: You are also the one who bullied my wife for six years.

I corrected him: Ex-wife.

He looked at me, his eyes revealing a flash of agony. Driven into a corner, Hua Que Lan gritted her teeth and muttered, To Hoa, it is my fault.

I asked, Faulty to whom?

Her face turned a mottled shade of purple. To you and our daughter.

Our daughter stood behind me, clutching my hand tightly. I felt her grip tremble, though not as violently as before. I said, I have heard the apology, but I do not accept it.

Hua Que Lan looked up sharply. I continued, What you owe us cannot be erased by a single word of apology.

Luc Tranh did not speak up to defend her. In that moment, the way Hua Que Lan looked at him finally showed a glimmer of genuine fear.

The next time Diep Dung sought me out, it was at the entrance of the County Women’s Union. I had just finished filing the paperwork for my advanced private business license. She blocked my path, the gentle facade she once wore entirely vanished.

To Hoa, what exactly do you want?

I stopped in my tracks. That is a question I should be asking you.

She gripped her handbag tightly. You are already divorced from Luc Tranh; why are you still keeping him anchored to you?

I nearly laughed out of frustration. He is the one coming to find me, yet somehow it is I who is keeping him anchored? Comrade Diep, your scheming is loud enough for everyone to hear.

Diep Dung’s expression curdled. She lowered her voice. Do not think that opening a small shop can change your life. Sooner or later, Luc Tranh must return to the military. He cannot truly sacrifice his future for a divorced woman like you.

I looked at her, finally understanding why she was so desperate. It seemed that for Diep Dung, her interest in Luc Tranh was far from simple.