Chapter 7 — One month before the wedding, the fiance registered to marry Bach Nguyet Quang

Delete photo. Turn off your phone. There are still stacks of unfinished project documents on the table. I turned on the computer again. That night... I worked until three in the morning. For the first time... No more waiting for anyone to come home. The project at the Paris headquarters was even more difficult than I thought. The plan left by the previous designer was rejected by the customer three times. The brand requested to retain the classic pearl element, but at the same time did not want the new collection to become too conservative. The meeting lasted until the third day. Still no results. Some people suggest continuing to use traditional flower shapes. Some people want to add a unique metal texture. The sound of debate in the meeting room grew louder. General Manager Lam tapped lightly on the table.

"Tri Y, you haven't said anything since just now."

All eyes were on me. I looked at the design being displayed on the screen. Each pearl is fixed in a metal base. Arrange neatly. Completely lifeless.

"I want to change direction."

I stood up and walked to the whiteboard.

"Pearls don't always have to be supported."

"It can also leave its original position."

Someone immediately frowned.

"If you leave the stand, how can you ensure completeness?"

"Why must it be complete?"

The entire meeting room suddenly became quiet. I picked up a pen and drew a broken curve on the board. A pearl separates from its original orbit. Fall to the other side.

"New collection..."

"It's not about possession."

"It's about leaving."

General Manager Lam looked at the sketch for a long time.

"What's the name?"

I remember the necklace that was once on Trinh Van Tinh's neck. I also remember my mother's hand holding mine before she passed away. She once said... From now on, you can be with anyone. But never lose yourself.

"Return to the Shore."

General Manager Lam nodded.

"Give me three days."

"Complete the entire plan."

The next three days... I barely left the design room. To Tinh brought me rice several times. Dawn of the fourth day... The design was finally completed. An asymmetrical pearl necklace. The main part is an interrupted curve. The pearl left that orbit... It never fell. Which is supported again. Become the brightest point of the whole necklace. General Director Lam finished reviewing the design. Don't say anything right away. Half a minute later... She closed the manuscript.

"Announce the workshop to start making samples."

"Insert the name of the main designer..."

"Exam Tri Y."

I stopped. This is the first time... I am alone in charge of a high-end jewelry collection at the headquarters. The past three years... It's not like I never had a chance. It's just that every time an overseas project appears... It always coincides with Zhou Tu Bach's marriage, family or schedule plans. Over and over again... I kept telling myself. There's still a chance after this. Only now do I understand. There are opportunities... We won't stand still forever waiting for someone. But humans... Can chase it again on their own. Only after the project officially entered the sample making phase... did I have time to process the packages sent from within the country. In there was a cardboard box without the sender's name written on it. The address on the delivery note... is the former wedding house. I don't open it see. Instead, ask the receptionist to refund directly to the old address. That evening... Chu Tu Bach emailed me.

"Tri Y, the trip ended early."

"You and Van Tinh have filed for divorce."

"After the waiting period is over, I will resolve everything."

"When will you come back?"

I read it all at once. No reply. Not long after, a second email arrived.

"I came home to find you."

"My belongings are all gone."

"Even my mother's photo frame was taken away."

"Are you really planning to stay in Paris for a year?"

Then came the third email.

"After the project in Paris ended..."

"We will reschedule the wedding."

"Place, time, format... it's all up to you to decide."

"I won't let anyone interfere anymore."

He said it as if he was making it up to me. But... In the end, he still didn't understand. I annulled the marriage... Not in exchange for a better wedding. I just... Don't need that groom anymore. I set his email address on the opt-out list. Then continue to test the sample product. Half a month later... First batch of products completed.