Chapter 5 — Half a month in Paris with Bach Nguyet Quang, he lost his wife and daughter

“Is something wrong?”

"Mr. Chau has not yet signed the divorce papers."

I was silent.

“But he is investigating your whereabouts.”

“Found it yet?”

“Then let him find it.”

I hung up. There was no fluctuation at all. Meanwhile. On the other side of the city. The lights in the general manager's office were still on. Chau Duat An sat alone in front of the window. The coffee on the table has long gone cold. The file is open in front of you. But he couldn't read a single word. These past few days. In his mind, the image that Aunt Vuong told him continuously appeared. The woman just gave birth less than a month ago. Alone holding a child with a high fever. Helpless. No one answered the phone. Every time I think about it. His chest felt heavy again. Right at that moment. The phone lights up. Is the background image. The only photo of her daughter. The baby is sleeping. Lovely soft face. Chau Duat An looked for a long time. Suddenly remembered. From the time I was born until now. I've only met you less than ten times. Full days and months. I'm in a meeting. The day my baby turned two months old. He is abroad. Birthday is one hundred days old. He is still working. I always think. There's still a lot of time left. But now. That wife and child disappeared from his life. The phone is picked up. Then put it down again. Don't know how long after. He finally called. The bell rang. Just when he thought the call would automatically disconnect. The other end of the wire was suddenly connected. Chau Duat An immediately sat up straight. The voice was noticeably hoarse. The other side was silent. There was only the sound of very light breathing. First time in many days. He heard her sound.

“Where are you?”

“What are you looking for me for?”

The voice was strangely calm. No resentment. Not angry. Doesn't carry any emotions at all. It was that calmness that made Chau Duat An's heart the most uneasy.

“We need to talk.”

"No need."

“I have already signed the divorce papers.”

“You just need to sign it.”

Chau Duat An's hand holding the phone tightened.

“I don't agree.”

“That's your problem.”

“I'll take the child home first.”

There was a long silence. He heard a very soft laugh. So light it's almost non-existent. But it made him feel cold down his spine.

“I waited for you for half a month.”

“I've been waiting for you for three years.”

“I've been waiting for you to turn around and look at me once.”

“But now.”

“Chau Duat An.”

“I don't want to wait anymore.”

Every single sentence. Everything is like a knife blade. Silently cutting into people's hearts. I want to explain. Want to say something. But I found that I didn't know where to start. I can only ask hoarsely:

“How is your daughter?”

The other end of the line was silent. A long time later. Tong Tu recently said:

“I have a fever.”

Chau Duat An's heart suddenly tightened.

“Are you at the hospital?”

“I'll be there soon.”

"No need."

“Where is the address?”

“What are you doing here?”

“I am her father.”

Tong Tu really laughed. Tired laughter.

“Are you her father?”

“So do you know what kind of milk my child likes to drink?”

“Do you know what time you slept last night?”

“Do you know when I got my first tooth?”

“Of course I don't know.”

“Ever since then.”

“The person who will be your father will always be me.”

That sentence made Chau Duat An's whole body stiffen. He wanted to refute. But found out again. I don't have any reason. Because it's all true. Rainwater outside is getting bigger and bigger. The other end of the line. Tong Tu's voice is very light. But also very determined.

“Chau Duat An.”

“Stop disturbing my life.”

“I'm tired.”

The call was cut off. In the hospital room. I put down the phone. Bao Bao is sleeping. The small hand unconsciously grabbed my finger. I bowed my head. Tears finally fell. Not because of Chau Duat An. But for yourself. Because the woman had foolishly waited for three years. Luckily. She's finally awake. And on the other side. Chau Duat An is still sitting in front of the window. The phone screen is dark. But he still maintained that posture. Like someone who just lost the most important thing in his life. But until today. I just realized how precious it is. After the call that night. Chau Duat An hardly sleeps. He sat in his office until morning. Outside the glass door, the sky gradually changed from black to light gray. But his heart still felt like it was weighed down by a rock. Tong Tu's last words kept ringing in his head.