Chapter 13 — My Husband Wants AA, I'm Thinking About Divorce

Tran Khai Chu did not answer. It's time for a break in the program. He stepped forward. I turned around to look at him.

“Are you collaborating with Studio Co Minh?”

“Since when?”

“After you suggested AA.”

His throat moved slightly.

“Why didn't you tell me?”

“I never asked.”

I looked straight at him.

“You just know I earn 15,000 yuan a month.”

“Because you never cared about what I was doing.”

“Never cared about what I could do.”

“In my spreadsheet.”

“I'm just someone who pays a quarter of the rent every month.”

His hand hanging by his side trembled slightly. The wine in the glass swirled.

“Nien So…”

“If you hadn't suggested AA that day…”

“There are no ifs.”

I interrupted him.

“You are wrong.”

He said softly.

"I know."

“But being wrong doesn't mean you can do it again.”

“Go home.”

“Your colleagues are looking.”

I turned around and walked towards Phuong Dinh. Behind the back. He called my name again. I don't stop walking. Phuong Dinh gave me a glass of juice.

“Is your ex-husband coming to find you?”

“Your face doesn't look very good.”

“The one who doesn't look good is him.”

"Not me."

Phuong Dinh burst out laughing. After the announcement ended. Tham Nhuoc Dong came to pick me up.

“How was today?”

“Quite convenient.”

“I met Tran Khai Chu.”

“What was his reaction?”

I rolled down the car window. The night wind brought in the cold air of early autumn.

“He said he was wrong.”

“Then I left.”

Tham Nhuoc Dong burst out laughing. The car slowly entered the elevated road. After the second round of negotiations. The conciliation case finally changed. Trieu Tung Nha called me.

“Tran Khai Chu's side wants to negotiate privately.”

“Lawyer Ma conveys his message.”

“He agreed to divide the house according to the contribution ratio.”

“But do not agree on the compensation level for family workers.”

“How much did he offer?”

“20,000 yuan.”

I laughed. Trieu Tung Nha also laughed.

“I told them.”

“It must be at least 80,000 yuan.”

“If you lack even one penny, you will go to court.”

“It's up to you to decide.”

Two days later. Lawyer Ma called back. Tran Khai Chu's side agreed to 80,000 yuan. But there is one more condition. He wanted to meet me alone once. Trieu Tung Nha said very frankly:

“I don't recommend meeting you alone.”

“But if you want to go, I won't stop you.”

“I'll wait downstairs.”

“If anything happens, call me immediately.”

The meeting place is a coffee shop near the old apartment complex. When I arrived. Tran Khai Chu was already sitting by the window. On the table there are two cups of coffee. I pulled out a chair and sat down. Don't touch your glass. He looked at me. His face no longer had the serious look of someone in a project meeting. The bottom of the eyes is slightly red.

“Just say it.”

I calmly replied. He looked at me for a long time. Finally asked:

“Why do I have to get a divorce?”

“This question should have been answered from day one.”

"Is it because of the AA thing? I told you, I won't do it anymore."

“Not because of AA.”

I looked at him.

“It's because of who you are.”

“AA only magnifies your nature.”

“Your money is yours.”

“My money is also yours.”

“Your family members are relatives.”

“My family members are outsiders.”

“Your time is as precious as gold.”

“My time isn't worth a dime.”

“Those things don't must be created by AA.”

“It's because I thought so from the beginning.”

“AA just helps me see clearly.”

He bowed his head. Hands clasped together on the table.

“The day my mother was hospitalized…”

“You're such an asshole.”

“It's okay to know.”

“Do you have time to make up for it now?”

“It's too late.”

“Based on what?”

He suddenly raised his head.

“It's been four years.”

“If you say let go, can you let go?”

“I can let go.”

I calmly looked at him.

“The person who can't let go is not me.”

“It's you.”

“You don't feel sorry for me.”

“I regret the relationship where I can dictate to you at any time.”

“That's not marriage.”

“It's a labor contract.”

His eyebrows furrowed. Lips moved slightly. I took out a printed divorce agreement from my pocket. Push in front of him.

“Lawyer Trieu has already discussed the terms with your lawyer Ma.”

“Both sides have confirmed.”

“I also don't want the matter to officially go to court.”

He stared at the agreement.

“What if you don't sign?”

“Then we will follow legal procedures.”

“Screenshots of online posts.”

“Recorded the call where you refused to lend me money.”

“A record of how your mother tried to kick me out of the house.”

“It will all be submitted to the court.”

“It's still about reconciliation right now.”

“Still save some dignity.”

“Up to the court…”

“I'm afraid saving face will no longer be up to you to decide.”