Chapter 13 — Half a month in Paris with Bach Nguyet Quang, he lost his wife and daughter

“I always wonder.”

“Who is the person I love in the end?”

Outside the window. The pale afternoon sunlight fell. The whole room was covered in soft yellow light. Chau Duat An stood there. It's like taking off the entire mask for the first time.

“I understood later.”

“I don't love To Van.”

“At least not the current love.”

“I just love the memory of her.”

“A period of youth that has not yet ended.”

“A dream that was never fulfilled.”

He laughed. A smile full of self-deprecation.

“Humans are always like that.”

“Thinking that what you can't have is the best.”

“Until you lose what's next to you.”

“That's when I realized how stupid I was.”

I looked at the man in front of me. Suddenly remembering the years gone by. Three years of marriage. I used to wait for him to get off work. Used to wait for him to come home. I used to wait for him to love me. But in the end. What I'm waiting for is just thirteen days in Paris. Thirteen days are enough to kill all hope.

“You know what?”

I spoke softly.

“The day you gave birth.”

“The first thing I do is not look at my child.”

“It's just looking at the phone.”

“Because I still hope you will call.”

Chau Duat An's hand trembled slightly.

"I know."

I shook my head.

“I don't know.”

“If you knew.”

“You will understand how disappointed I am.”

Tears rose from the corners of my eyes without knowing when. But this time. I am no longer in pain like before. Just feel regretful. Feel sorry for yourself. Sorry for that marriage. His voice was hoarse.

"I'm sorry."

"I know."

I replied softly.

“But there are some things that don't just have to be apologizing.”

He nodded. He slowly placed the documents on the table. It's a divorce petition. It was the form I left on the nightstand that day. His signature has been added. Chau Duat An. I was stunned. His eyes stopped on the paper. For a long time there were no words.

“I signed it.”

His voice was very calm. But the eyes are red.

“If you want to be free.”

“I set you free.”

“This time it's not because of anger.”

“Not because of force.”

“It's not because you want to use retreat as advance.”

“I just understand.”

“I have no right to keep you anymore.”

The air suddenly became choked. I looked at the man in front of me. The person who made me love myself to the point of forgetting myself. He is also the person who makes me feel hopeless. He has finally grown up. But the price to pay is a marriage.

“I will continue to be Bao Bao's father.”

He said softly.

“If you allow me.”

“I will also continue to pursue you.”

“But this time.”

“Not as a husband.”

“But a normal man.”

“Start from the beginning again.”

He turned around and left. Don't wait for an answer. Also don't ask for anything. The door slowly closed. The room became quiet. I sat alone on the sofa. Look at the completed divorce petition. A long time later. Bao Bao crawled out from the bedroom. The child rubbed her eyes. I bent down to hug my child.

“Where is handsome uncle?”

The corner of my lips curled up slightly.

“Are you coming back?”

I looked towards the closed door. Outside in the hallway. The sound of footsteps faded away. But somehow. First time. I no longer feel that distance is so far away. I held my child in my arms. Smiling softly.

“Probably will come back.”

Because there are people. After losing it. Just learned how to love. There are also people. After being heartbroken enough. Just learned how to forgive. One year after. Winter comes again. But different from last year. This time I am no longer afraid of winter. Because the small house facing south is always sunny. Because every morning I wake up to Bao Bao's laughter. And because I have learned how to live well with myself. My career is also gradually stabilizing. The development of the private design studio is not bad. Although not comparable to Chau Thi Group. But enough to make me proud. Every penny I earn is based on my own abilities. That afternoon. I'm meeting online. Bao Bao suddenly ran into the room holding a stuffed rabbit.

“Dad is here!”

My hand stopped. One second later. The corners of the lips suddenly curled up. For the past year. Chau Duat An has never missed any appointments with his daughter. Birthday. Vaccination date. You are all present. Not because he wanted to please me. But because he truly sees fatherhood as his responsibility. Bao Bao also changed from "handsome uncle" to "daddy". The first time she called me that. Chau Duat An was silent for a long time.