Chapter 14 — My House is Not a Living House

I stood in the middle of the hall that I designed myself. Looking up at the cluster of artistic lights on the ceiling, the plan I revised six times before finalizing it. The light fell on the ivory-white stone floor, exactly like the scene I had imagined in the first perspective. General Manager Lam walked over holding a glass of champagne.

"Nien So, I am very satisfied. The finished product is even more beautiful than expected."

“Thank you, General Manager Lam.”

"When will there be a plan for that resort hotel project? Investors want to see it next month."

“At the end of this month I will submit the first concept.”

He gently clinked his glass with me.

“Wish us a smooth cooperation.”

That evening, on the drive back to the apartment, I passed by an old house in the south of the city. The place that used to be called home. I kept the same speed. Do not stop the vehicle. Don't even look back. It's just an address. It has nothing to do with me anymore. By the third month after the divorce, the "One Room" account officially surpassed one million followers. A leading furniture brand actively sought out and proposed to sign an annual representation contract worth five hundred thousand. I carefully looked at the terms and discussed them with Trinh Hac Nien.

“Just accept it.”

“It does not affect her design work, but the brand positioning is also very suitable.”

I signed the contract. That same week, the conceptual plan of the resort hotel project was also approved by both the owner and investors. The design contract worth eight million was officially signed. My personal profit share is one million two hundred thousand. Adding the remaining profit sharing money from the Lang Dinh project, brand cooperation fees and daily commercial revenue from my personal account, my total income this year has exceeded three million. While working at the institute, it took six years of hard work to reach the position of design director. Annual salary three hundred and fifty thousand. At that time, I thought I had tried my best. Looking back now I understand. It's not that I'm not good enough. But that environment is not worthy. That marriage was also not worth it. It was like a cage over my head. Makes me always think the sky is only that wide. Until the cage is lifted. I just realized... The sky has no limit. That month, I also did one more job. Returned small apartment in the north of the city. Then buy a new house. A new apartment complex next to the creative district in the west of the city. Ninety-five square meters. Two bedrooms, one living room. Complete interior. One-time payment. On the certificate of ownership there is only one name. Lam Niem So. On the day of moving house, Co Thanh Van came to help. She stood in front of the ground-level window and looked at the open kitchen, constantly cooing.

“Really great.”

Standing on the balcony, she pointed down.

"Did you know? From here you can see the roof of the Hoa Truc building."

"That's why I chose this place. It only takes ten minutes to walk to the company."

“Now you are officially a woman who buys a house with direct payment.”

She turned back to look at me, smiling brightly. I stood in the middle of the spacious living room. Look around the house. White wall. The wind outside the window brings with it a feeling of freedom. Every inch of this house belongs to me. No need to yield to anyone. The second month after moving to the new house, the final compensation from Tran Trac Vien has also been transferred to the account. Two million one hundred fifty-seven thousand six hundred. Not a penny missing. From that moment, all financial ties between me and the Tran family completely ended. That night, I called my parents.

“Dad, mom... I'm divorced.”

The other end of the line was silent for a few seconds. Mom was the one who spoke first.

“When did it happen?”

"Three months ago, the trial was completed. I didn't say anything right away because I wanted to resolve everything properly first."

“Why divorce?”

My father's voice lowered.

“For many reasons.”

I stopped for a moment.

“But the most important thing... is that he never respected me.”

Then I told everything. From three times of confinement. Until the miscarriage. Then there's the matter of selling the house. Don't add a detail. It doesn't take anything away either. Having finished speaking, both ends of the line fell silent. After a while, my mother spoke, her voice trying to suppress the choking.

“Nien So... you had a miscarriage, why didn't you tell your parents?”

“At that time I thought I could endure it.”

“This stupid girl.”

Mother's voice was choked. My father was silent for a long time before asking.

“Are you okay now?”

"It's okay. Much better than before."

“So that's good.”

He stopped for a few seconds.

“If you feel tired alone, you can always go home.”

Ending the call, I sat on the sofa in my new house, hugging my knees. A few tears fell silently. Not out of self-pity. But because I finally felt relieved. There are things hidden for too long. Only when they say it out loud do they realize how heavy they are. The next morning when I arrived at the company, Trinh Hac Nien was waiting in the hallway.

“Nien So, give me some news.”

“What news?”

“The voting list of ‘Ten young designers of the year’ has just been announced.”

He looked at me, smiled.

“There's your name.”

I was stunned.