Chapter 13 — Husband Says First Love Doesn't Feel Safe, I Always Change the Locks

One year later. Tieu Vu went to first grade. On the first day of school, Chu Nghien and I took our child to school together. She wears a new uniform and carries a new school bag. Happy running ahead. While lining up to go to class, Tieu Vu turned around and waved.

“Mom and dad, go home.”

“I can come in by myself.”

Chu Nghien also laughed. Waiting for her to leave, he stood next to me for a long time. Then he spoke up:

“Thank you.”

I looked at him.

“Thank you for what?”

He looked towards the school gate.

“Thank you for raising Tieu Vu so well.”

“I used to think that making money is the responsibility.”

“Later I realized, companionship is the most difficult thing.”

I said nothing. He smiled softly.

“Thank you also for actually changing the locks.”

I laughed.

“Thank you now?”

He nodded.

“If you don't change the locks.”

“I will never know what I lost.”

I looked at the children running and jumping in the schoolyard. The early autumn wind is very light. The sun is also very beautiful. I suddenly remembered that night. That night I held Tieu Vu who was sitting in the hospital with a high fever. At night I looked at his messages and stayed awake. That night I called a technician to change the lock. At that time, I thought I had lost a marriage. But look back a year later. I just understand. What I got back was even more. I regain my peace. Regain self-esteem. Take back the right to choose your life. And most importantly. I was able to keep a home for my daughter without having to wait anxiously. Chu Nghien looked at me.

“Later…”

He stopped. In the end just laugh.

“Forget it.”

I know what he wants to ask. But we all understand. Some doors are closed not because of hatred. But because it has already passed. No need to open anymore. I leaned the small yellow umbrella on my shoulder. Smiling said:

“Tieu Vu finishes school at four thirty.”

“Remember not to be late.”

Chu Nghien paused. Then burst out laughing.

“I won't be late anymore.”

I turned around and walked away. Sunlight spreads across the road ahead. I don't need anyone to hold the door for me anymore. Because I was able to walk towards the light on my own. My mother-in-law came to cause trouble once. She stood in front of the door and scolded me without meaning. I opened the door. She saw that the house was clean and bright, rice and soup were still hot on the table, and Tieu Vu was sitting on the puzzle mat. There was absolutely no chaos like she imagined. She was stunned.

“Can you really live well?”

I laughed.

“Thanks to mom's blessing.”

“Less need to serve an adult, much more relieved.”

The mother-in-law's face immediately turned pale.

"Don't be complacent too soon. How well can a woman who raises her children live alone?"

“At least not running away in the middle of the night makes others feel safe.”

Her throat was blocked and she couldn't say a word. Tieu Vu raised her head from the carpet.

“Grandma, just keep quiet.”

The mother-in-law turned to look at her, intending to show the appearance of an elder. Tieu Vu seriously said:

“This is mom's house.”

“You're making so much noise to Mom.”

The mother-in-law's face immediately stiffened. I almost laughed out loud. She stood for a while longer, and in the end she could only walk away ashen. Lam Nguyet also looked for Chu Nghien. That day was the occasion when Tieu Vu's kindergarten held a sports festival. Chu Nghien promised to participate in the relay competition between parents and children. He was wearing sports clothes, standing next to the stadium, holding Tieu Vu's water bottle in his hand. Lam Nguyet called. I was standing not far away so I heard it. She sobbed:

"A Nghien, my house has lost power again. I'm really scared."

Chu Nghien looked towards the stadium. Tieu Vu is warming up with his friends. From afar she waved at him.

“Dad, hurry up!”

Chu Nghien held the phone. Silence for a few seconds. Then say:

“Call management.”

Lam Nguyet was stunned.

“Aren't you coming?”

Chu Nghien looked at his daughter.

“My daughter is waiting for me.”

Having finished speaking, he hung up the phone. Tieu Vu ran over and grabbed his hand.

“Dad, it's our turn.”

Chu Nghien squatted down and tied his child's shoelaces. In the relay competition that day, father and son did not win the first prize. Chu Nghien ran halfway and almost fell. But Tieu Vu smiled very happily.

“Dad, you're so stupid!”

Chu Nghien gasped and laughed.

“Next time, Dad, practice more.”

I stood outside the finish line looking at father and son. Extremely peaceful inside. Not forgiveness. It's letting go. At the end of the sports festival, Tieu Vu ran over holding the participation prize sticker. Stick it on the back of my hand.

“Mom also got the prize.”

I smiled and asked:

“What prize?”

The child thought for a moment.

“Replace the lock.”

I laughed. Chu Nghien, standing next to him, also heard it. The smile on his face immediately stiffened.