Chapter 3 — Marriage Is A Trap

His forehead began to sweat. The meeting room was silent for a few seconds. Secretary Tran put the tablet away, his attitude still polite.

"Miss To, we're suddenly here. But Mr. Co said that if you change your mind, you can contact me at any time. This cooperation will only bring benefits to you, no harm."

He put down his business card and turned to leave. After the door closed, editor-in-chief Trieu wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"Miss To, I'm sorry, I didn't think carefully. But the resources on Co's side are really..."

“Editor-in-chief Zhao, I only care about one thing right now.”

“You say it.”

“Is the plan for the book signing done yet?”

Editor-in-Chief Trieu was stunned for a moment then immediately signaled Tieu Duong to bring the documents over. I looked over the plan and corrected a few unreasonable areas. Throughout the entire process, not one word was mentioned about Co Dien. But in my heart I understand very clearly. That man will not give up easily. A person can spend half a year to lock down my identity... can't stop because of being rejected once. After the meeting ended, Lam Kha followed behind me.

"Miss To, Luc Canh Tham texted again. Said he would wait for you at home tonight, his mother is also here."

“It's Luc Canh Tham's mother.”

I stopped walking. Mother-in-law is here. This proves that Luc Canh Tham is really scared. To the point of having to call in reinforcements. I nodded slightly.

“Order me a bouquet of flowers.”

“What kind?”

"White roses. Ninety-nine."

Lam Kha looked at me in confusion.

“Miss To, are you planning to…”

"Give it to yourself. Today is my third wedding anniversary."

Lam Kha opened his mouth, but said nothing. I called Tan Loc.

“Come home with me tonight.”

"Meet my mother-in-law. Last time."

Half past six in the evening. Tan Loc and I stood in front of the house. The door is not locked. As soon as I entered, the smell of food hit me. There are three people sitting in the living room. Luc Canh Tham, his mother Liu Phuong Anh, and his father Luc Kien Quoc. The whole family came. As soon as he saw me, Luu Phuong Anh immediately stood up, grabbed my hand, his face full of pain.

"Tieu Niem, Canh Tham told me everything. It's because he's not good, I'll apologize on his behalf."

I let her hold my hand and didn't pull away.

“Mom, don't say that.”

Luu Phuong Anh's eyes were red.

"Tieu Niem, you married into our family for three years, I saw everything. You are a good child. This bastard Canh Tham..."

She turned her head to glare at Luc Canh Tham.

“Why don't you quickly apologize to your wife and children?”

Luc Canh Tham stepped forward, a sincere look on his face.

"To Niem, I'm sorry. It was me who was wrong. You and Phuong Dao are over, there will be nothing more from now on. Can you give me one more chance?"

Tan Loc stood behind me, not speaking. I looked at Luc Canh Tham.

“You broke it off with her?”

"Okay. Completely cut off."

“Show me your phone.”

He paused for a moment then took the phone out of his pocket and gave it to me. I opened the WeChat contacts. All chats with Phuong Dao have been deleted.

“Is deleting chat history called cutting off?”

“I blocked her.”

I opened the search section in the directory. Indeed, there is no longer the name Phuong Dao. But I scrolled down a little more. There is a contact note as "Head of Department Truong". The profile photo is a white flower. I clicked. The last message was this afternoon at two o'clock.

“Wife, she will come and cause trouble tonight, don't worry. His mother finished talking, just a little coloring and that's it. When she stops being angry, we'll be back to normal."

Below is also a forty-seven second voice clip. I'm not open. But the length alone is nauseating. I raised my phone and pointed it at Luc Canh Tham. His face changed three times in three seconds. Luu Phuong Anh stopped by to take a look.

“Canh Tham, who is ‘Chief Truong’?”

Luc Canh Tham immediately snatched the phone back.

"Mom, don't listen to To Niem's nonsense, this is work..."

Finally, Tan Loc also spoke up.

“I am Tan Loc, To Niem's representative lawyer. I took a photo of this message as evidence. According to relevant provisions of marriage law, his behavior constitutes adultery during the marriage period. To Niem has every right to request compensation when dividing assets."

The living room immediately fell silent. Luu Phuong Anh let go of my hand. The expression on her face changed. There was no more compassion for her daughter-in-law like before.

“Lawyer Tan, right? It's not yet our turn for outsiders to interfere in our family's affairs."

Tan Loc laughed faintly.

“Auntie, I'm not an outsider. I am a lawyer authorized by To Niem. From a legal perspective, I have more qualifications to stand here than you."

Luu Phuong Anh turned to me.

“Tieu Niem, what are you doing? Invite a lawyer? Are you planning on making a big deal out of this? Do you think about Canh Tham's reputation? Do you think about this house?

I heard a very interesting word.

“Mom, I've been thinking for three years.”

“What are you thinking? I only think about myself! Canh Tham made a mistake, hasn't he already apologized? What man doesn't make a few mistakes? Can't you be a little more generous?”

Luc Kien Quoc sat on the sofa and spoke in a low voice.

“Your mother is right. Just close the door and deal with it, don't make a big deal out of it."

I looked around the living room. Husband having an affair. Her parents-in-law came to advise. But the person they advised... was not my husband.

“Mom, dad, then let me ask you both a question.”

“You ask.”

“What if the adulterer is your child? Will you two also advise Canh Tham to be 'a little more generous'?"

Luu Phuong Anh immediately choked. Luc Canh Tham interrupted angrily.

“To Niem, can you stop arguing? My parents came from far away, are you using that attitude to talk?"

Tan Loc took out a file of documents from his pocket.

“Mr. Luc, this is the revised divorce agreement. Considering his adultery during the marriage, To Niem's request is adjusted as follows: no need for a house, no need for a car, shared savings... To Niem only gets back her personal assets that existed before the marriage. The rest belongs to you.”

Luc Canh Tham received it and glanced through it.

“Her pre-marital assets?”

He laughed coldly.

“Before marrying me, what assets did she have? When she married me, there wasn't even a tram.”

Tan Loc did not answer. Just turned to look at me. I stood up.

“You just slowly look at the contract. I'm leaving.”

Luu Phuong Anh called out loudly from behind.

“If you step out this door, don't come back!”

I stopped at the door for a few seconds.

“Mom, I won't come back again.”

The door closed. In the hallway, Tan Loc said in a low voice:

“That last sentence his... 'What assets did she have before marriage'? Once he signs the divorce papers, he will know right away."

I didn't reply. The phone rang just in time. It's Lam Kha.

“Miss To, there is news you should probably know. The cultural company under Co Dien has just acquired the magazine 《Emotional Urban》. It was the magazine she used to work for before.”