Chapter 1 — Half a month in Paris with Bach Nguyet Quang, he lost his wife and daughter

When Chau Duat An finished half a month in Paris with Bach Nguyet Quang and returned home, I had already taken my daughter and left for thirteen days. Half a month in Paris with white moon light, it was only then that Chau Duat An suddenly remembered that he still had a wife who had just given birth not long ago. He held a bouquet of roses in his hand, wearing the look of a husband who had just returned from a long business trip. But when the villa door opened, what awaited him was bad news. The maid stood at the door, her face pale. She stammered:

“Sir, the lady took the young lady and left 13 days ago.”

The smile on Chau Duat An's face momentarily stiffened. I silently calculated. Today is the day Chau Duat An returns. Thirteen hours on the plane, plus about an hour of travel from the airport to home. If nothing unexpected happened, around four o'clock in the afternoon, he would push open the door of that villa. And right now, I'm in my new house. A house facing south, filled with sunlight and warmth. The fireplace radiates a pleasant temperature. My daughter obediently lay in my arms, sleeping so soundly that her little cheeks were pink and her breathing was regular and gentle. I can almost clearly imagine the scene from his side. Chau Duat An will wear an exquisitely tailored trench coat. In his hand he held a familiar bouquet of roses and champagne. That was always his trick. Using a little outward romance to cover up the coldness that lasted for half a month. On his face was a tired look after a long journey, but the corners of his lips still maintained a calm smile, as if everything was under his control. He entered the house. According to his habit of calling my name: He must have thought I would be the same as always. Hold your baby and wait at the door. Get your coat. Bring him sandals so he can change them. Then sit back and listen to old, boring explanations. That this trip to Paris was "reluctant". That it is an “extremely important” collaborative project. That it's all for the "future" of the company. He will not mention To Van even once. Because from beginning to end, he always thought I didn't know anything. Then Aunt Vuong will come out from the kitchen. With a panicked look on his face. Tremblingly he said to him:

“Sir, the mistress picked up the young lady and moved out thirteen days ago.”

The smile on his lips will disappear little by little. The bouquet of flowers in her hand also fell to the floor. He would get mad, rushing up to the second floor like an angry lion. But what awaited him was just an empty house. In the master bedroom, all my clothes, cosmetics and jewelry were gone. The dressing room is more than half empty. It was like someone used a knife to cut out a large chunk. The baby's room is even cleaner. Crib. Newborn baby clothes. All traces of evidence that a small creature once lived in that place have been taken away by me. What's left is only an empty room and a faint smell of dust. On the bedside table. He will see the divorce papers that I signed in advance. The three words "Tong Tu" appear clearly. Don't leave any retreat. Only then did he truly panic. For the first time in my life, I learned what it feels like to lose control. Thinking of this, I bowed my head and gently kissed my daughter's forehead. We are free now. The day we left that villa, the weather was as beautiful as today. Gentle pale yellow sunlight covers everywhere. It was the second day after Chau Duat An flew to Paris. I just finished my confinement period. The body has not yet fully recovered, but the mind is more alert than ever. I don't cry. Not even caring at all. Because that place was never home. It is just a stage for Chau Duat An to show off his success. As for me, I'm just the cheapest decoration in that villa. I called the moving company. Calmly say that the furniture is not much, but quite miscellaneous. They asked for the old address and the new address. I read every word clearly. After hanging up, I started packing my luggage. The things that belong to me, I take away. The things I prepared for my daughter, I also took away. As for the expensive jewelry and handbags that Chau Duat An bought, I did not touch any of them. Everything is still in the safe. Just like the suffocating marriage between me and him. Aunt Vuong stood next to her, so worried that her arms and legs were shaking. Aunt asked in a low voice:

"Boss, what are you doing? If the boss knew, he would definitely be angry."

I just smiled slightly.

“Aunt Wang, he won't be angry.”

“He just felt like there was finally no one left to stop him.”

I gave my aunt some money. More than a year's salary. Aunt Vuong held the bank card and for a moment didn't know what to say. After a while, he choked up and said:

“Madam, you are a good person.”

The moving car arrived very quickly. Everything went extremely smoothly. In less than two hours, all the furniture was loaded onto the car. I held my daughter still in diapers in my arms and looked at that living room one last time. The cold light from the crystal chandelier covers the entire space. On the leather sofa, Chau Duat An's breath still seems to linger. But I understand very well. That warmth never belonged to me. Before leaving. I placed the divorce papers on the nightstand in the master bedroom. Right in the most visible location. Even prepared a pen for him. Then, I got into the car. Calmly say to the driver: