Chapter 6 — Half a month in Paris with Bach Nguyet Quang, he lost his wife and daughter

“From now on, the person who is your father has always been me.”

Every time I remember. His chest ached again. Exactly nine o'clock in the morning. Assistant Tran walked in. As soon as he saw the boss's face, he was startled. Both eyes are bloodshot. Chin sunken and stubbled. Completely unlike General Chau, who is always neat and perfect in the eyes of outsiders.

“General Chau.”

"What is up?"

“We have investigated some more information about the owner.”

Chau Duat An immediately raised his head. A file was placed on the table. Assistant Tran hesitated for a few seconds.

“These documents… may surprise you.”

Chau Duat An's hand slowly opened the file. The first page is the medical examination report. The date extends from more than half a year ago. Patient name. He frowned slightly. Continue flipping down. Until you see the bold text in the middle of the page. The whole person suddenly stiffened.

“Moderate postpartum depression.”

His pupils shrank sharply. For a long time, I still couldn't recover. Postpartum depression? How is that possible? That woman is always gentle. Always be patient. Always smile at everyone. Even every time he returned home, she was the one who took the initiative to ask. How can I be depressed? He almost immediately denied it. But the more I flip it down. The heart sinks deeper. Second examination form. Third examination form. Fourth examination form. Lasted for many months. They are all the same doctor. Same diagnosis. Chau Duat An's face gradually turned pale.

“She… ever went to a psychologist?”

“About more than half a year.”

The hand holding the file trembled slightly. More than half a year. In other words. During that time. He was completely clueless.

“Why didn't anyone tell me?”

Assistant Tran bowed his head.

“General Chau.”

“Perhaps the landlady doesn't want to bother you.”

That answer was like a slap. Hit him straight in the face. Don't want to bother. Or is it useless to say it? Many images suddenly appeared in Chau Duat An's mind. The times he came home. Tong Tu sat alone on the sofa. Tired eyes. Times when she wanted to say something. But in the end it stopped. The times he saw her cry. Think she's too sensitive. I thought. Those are just the erratic emotions of postpartum women. Never seriously researched. Never asked a question. Are you okay? Now think again. Perhaps she had asked for help. You just don't see it. Or don't want to see.

“Where is the treating doctor?”

“Contacted.”

“I want to meet this afternoon.”

Afternoon. Chau Duat An appeared at a private clinic. The treating doctor is a woman in her forties. After confirming his identity. She looked at the man in front of her with complicated eyes.

“Are you her husband?”

“You finally came.”

A very light sentence. But it made Chau Duat An's heart ache.

“What do you mean?”

The doctor put the documents on the table.

“During treatment, I asked her many times to bring family members.”

“But every time she refused.”

“She said her husband is very busy.”

“Don't want to bother.”

Chau Duat An clenched his hands. Thin lips pressed into a straight line.

“How serious is her illness?”

The doctor was silent for a few seconds. Then slowly say:

“It was a very bad time.”

“She often has insomnia.”

“Blame yourself.”

“Crying for no reason.”

“Only sleep two to three hours a day.”

Every single sentence. All do Chau Duat An's face became a little whiter. I don't know at all. Don't know anything. The doctor continued.

“She sat here for over an hour.”

“Just ask me a question.”

“Would her daughter have been better off if born into another family?”

Chau Duat An's heart suddenly hurt violently. It was like someone was cutting me hard with a knife.

“Did she… ever think like that?”

“Because at that moment she felt like a failure as a mother.”

“I also feel like a failed wife.”

“To be more precise.”

“She thinks everything is her fault.”

The doctor looked straight into his eyes.

“But follow me.”

“The one who failed was not her.”

“Those who should be by her side.”

The whole room fell into silence. A while later. Chau Duat An asked hoarsely:

“How is she now?”

The doctor shook his head.

"I do not know."

“But I can tell you something.”

“Patients like her usually have two outcomes.”

“One is being pulled back by the family.”

“Second, crawl out of the abyss yourself.”

“Very clear.”

“Your wife belongs to the second category.”

Speaking of this. Her voice suddenly calmed down.