Chapter 6 — No Resentment, No Forgiveness

His eyes were bloodshot. I had seen him cry before. Every time he wept, he knew exactly how to make a heart soften. His voice would turn gravelly and low, his gaze filled with a profound, performative remorse. Each time that happened, I was the one who inevitably conceded. But today? That would never happen again.

Minh Hien Chu.

I looked at him, enunciating every word with clinical precision.

The last time you cried in front of me was on my birthday. You held me and apologized, promising you would make it up to me with a cake. You used those tears to mask the fact that you had just come from registering your marriage to another woman.

Minh Hien closed his eyes tightly, refusing to look at me. I spoke in a voice devoid of warmth: From this day forward, your tears no longer have any power over me.

Just then, Tu Vu Lam, standing outside the doorway, interjected: You two should just talk this through. If you have broken up, then do it properly; don't—

Get out.

I interrupted her calmly. Your marriage, your business—what does that have to do with me? Between you and me, there is nothing left to say.

Tu Vu Lam pursed her lips, remaining rooted to the spot. I looked at her, my voice as steady as before. You are standing in an apartment that I rent. If you do not leave immediately, I will call the building management to escort you out.

Tu Vu Lam’s expression stiffened instantly. She turned to look at Minh Hien. He brought his hands up to rub his face, his movements heavy with exhaustion. His voice was thick and raspy: Tu Vu, go downstairs and wait for me.

Tu Vu Lam frowned, casting a glare of pure annoyance in my direction, but finally, she turned and left. The door slammed shut with a sharp, violent thud that shattered the stifling atmosphere of the room.

We were alone. Minh Hien stood motionless in the center of the living room, his entire posture slumped like a balloon that had been completely drained of air.

Nhu Tinh, I know that whatever I say now is useless. But I still want you to know that I was sincere about you.

I looked at him, my composure unnervingly intact. Minh Hien, is your mother actually hospitalized, or is that just another excuse you fabricated?

He went rigid. It took him a few seconds to respond. It is true. She fell two days ago and fractured her femoral neck. She is at the First People’s Hospital.

How much is the hospital bill?

He clearly did not expect me to ask that. His lips trembled slightly. About thirty or forty thousand yuan.

I took out my phone and initiated a transfer. Thirty-eight thousand yuan. In the memo line, I wrote only one line: Medical advance. The final one. I hit send. Minh Hien’s phone buzzed instantly. He looked down at the notification, his face turning pale and motionless.

Nhu Tinh…

I looked at him with chilling indifference. I have no grudge against your mother. Since she is sick, I will cover these costs. But this is the last time.

Minh Hien moved his lips, as if wanting to argue, but ultimately, no sound came out.

The name on this lease is mine, I continued. I will contact the landlord to terminate the contract early. I will pay the penalty for breaking the lease myself. You need to clear your things out today. Within three days, I will hand the keys back to the landlord. After that, you are never to return.

Nhu Tinh, could you—

No, I cannot. I cut him off. Do not say ‘but.’ Do not ask me to wait, and do not tell me to reconsider. From the very moment you chose to betray me, there was no turning back.

Minh Hien stood in silence as tears streamed down his face, dropping quietly to the floor. I picked up my backpack and walked past him, heading to the door to change my shoes. Just then, he suddenly spoke up.

Wait. The message you sent… the one saying, ‘Let your new wife pay for it’… you even posted it to your social media feed. Now, everyone has seen it.

I finished tying my shoelaces and stood up straight, giving a brief, dismissive nod. Yes.