Chapter 12 — Husband Says First Love Doesn't Feel Safe, I Always Change the Locks

I didn't speak up. Chu Nghien turned to look at me.

“Is she giving you a hard time?”

Lam Nguyet was stunned. I also paused for a second. Not emotional. But it's ironic. This statement came too late. So late that I no longer need it. Lam Nguyet looked at Chu Nghien in disbelief.

“I asked her if you gave her a hard time?”

“Ah Nghien, you were never like that before.”

Chu Nghien was silent. Lam Nguyet cried and said:

“You said you would protect me.”

Chu Nghien looked at me and then turned to her.

“You said a lot of wrong things.”

Lam Nguyet's face was completely pale. I'm no longer interested in continuing to watch.

"Tieu Vu is still waiting for me to come home for dinner."

“I'll go first.”

Chu Nghien immediately followed.

“Tri Y, let me take you home.”

"No need."

“I just want to say a few words to you.”

I stopped.

“Let's talk here then.”

He glanced at Lam Nguyet.

“I will make it all right.”

“That's your problem.”

“No need to report to me.”

He looked at me.

“Do you really not care anymore?”

I looked at him. To be honest, it's not like I don't care at all. Ten years of love. Just changing a lock doesn't mean it's gone. On quiet late nights, I will still remember the past. Remember the first time he cooked noodles for me. Remember when Tieu Vu was just born, he clumsily held the baby. Remember the days when we used to live very bustling and warm. But remembering those things doesn't mean I want to go back. People cannot just swallow a broken glass bowl because they miss an old candy.

“Ever cared.”

“But that's enough.”

The light in Chu Nghien's eyes faded little by little. I returned home. Tieu Vu has already placed the bowl and chopsticks on the table. She stood on a chair and gave me a piece of fried egg and tomato.

“Mom, you've had a hard time today.”

I smiled and kissed my child's forehead.

“Not difficult.”

Tieu Vu asked:

“Is dad coming today?”

“I'll probably come pick you up for dinner.”

The child thought for a moment.

“I want to eat with mom today.”

I nodded. Tieu Vu said:

“Today the teacher asked me what a house is.”

“How do you answer?”

The girl pointed to the door.

“I say home is where mom is inside.”

“And you don't have to be afraid of not being able to open the door.”

My eye sockets immediately became hot. I held the baby in my arms.

"That's right."

“Mom will always be here from now on.”

That night, I made a decision. Not impulsive. Which is something I've been thinking about for a long time. I started rearranging everything in the house. The traces Chu Nghien left behind are becoming fewer and fewer. His cup is put away. His sandals were discarded. The main bedroom has new bed sheets. The spare umbrella in front of the door turned from two into a large umbrella and a small umbrella. Tieu Vu asked:

“Where is Dad's umbrella?”

“Dad will buy it himself.”

The child nodded. Don't ask any more. At the weekend, Chu Nghien came to pick up Tieu Vu. Seeing the small yellow umbrella in front of the door, he was stunned. Before, there was always his black umbrella there. He asked:

“Where is your umbrella?”

“It's broken.”

He looked at me. Seems to understand. But I don't want to understand. Tieu Vu ran out wearing a small backpack. Chu Nghien sat down and adjusted his child's hat. The movements are much more proficient than before.

“Tieu Vu, dad will take you to pottery today.”

The child turned to look at me. I nodded. Only then did she follow him. When the two returned, Tieu Vu was holding a small, misshapen bowl in her hand.

“Mom, this is what I made.”

I take it. At the bottom of the bowl are engraved three words. Mother's house.

“Why not our house?”

Tieu Vu replied in a low voice:

“Because dad said he can't be here now.”

Chu Nghien stood behind her. His expression was a bit gloomy. I patted Tieu Vu's head. Chu Nghien took his child to the door and stopped. Don't step inside. Now he's used to it. Get used to waiting outside the door.

"Have you eaten?"

As soon as I said it, I was also stunned. Habits are truly scary things. Chu Nghien also stopped. His eyes immediately lit up.

“There's a noodle shop downstairs.”

The light in his eyes immediately went out. He smiled bitterly. He turned around to leave. I call back:

“Chu Nghien.”

He immediately turned around. He has really changed a lot. Know in advance what Tieu Vu wants to eat. Remember to bring tissues and water bottles. Knowing that when Tieu Vu coughs, he must immediately bring medicine. One time in the middle of the night, Tieu Vu had a mild fever. The phone just rang, he came. That time, Tieu Vu was sleeping dreamily. Seeing him, she just said:

“Dad is here?”

Chu Nghien sat beside the bed and quietly replied:

“Dad is here.”

Tieu Vu continued to sleep. But Chu Nghien sat next to the bed all night. The next morning I woke up and saw him sleeping on the sofa. There is also a thermometer and fever-reducing medicine on the table. At that moment I suddenly realized. He's really trying to be a good dad. It's just a pity... Those things come too late. There are mistakes that can be corrected. But there are relationships that, once they reach their end, cannot be turned back again.