Chapter 4 — Our Three Year Marriage Is Over

Da Than didn't seem like he wanted to leave, nor did he answer me, just quietly looking at me: "What's your name?" "Tong Nguyen," I answered. "What about your name at home?" I didn't understand why he asked that, but I still honestly replied: "I haven't thought of it yet." "Call me An An, have a peaceful life," he said, his voice a bit thoughtful. I remained silent, feeling that today Da Than seemed more sentimental than usual. After he finished speaking, he walked straight into his daughter's room. Looking at his back, I was a bit surprised and couldn't react in time. He has lost a lot of weight, to the point where I used to lie next to him and didn't even notice. I didn't think too much and quickly followed: "Aren't you leaving yet?" Da Than glanced at me: "I came to visit my daughter, not you, what are you worried about?" And so for the next month, Da Than often visited us, sitting with our daughter all afternoon, holding her forever. Every time I mentioned my other girlfriend, he would say: "I don't mind, are you worried about her? That's so generous." But I have to admit, since you're here, I feel much more relieved. Sometimes, looking at his busy back, I can't help but imagine if we hadn't divorced and were still a family of three, would we be happier than we are now? Unfortunately, there is no "if". Usually, after putting his child to sleep, Da Than will lie down and rest on the sofa in the living room. But tonight, he suddenly appeared in my room, carrying a pillow. I looked at his thin figure, a bit stunned: "Is something wrong?" "It's too cold outside, I'll sleep here today," his voice was full of determination, not giving me a chance to refuse. Before he could say anything, he threw his pillow on the bed and lay down right next to me. "I'm lying," he muttered, "It's just really cold outside." Hearing that, I remained silent. But obviously the temperature inside the room and outside is the same... Well, leave it to me. A moment later, in the silence, Da Than suddenly asked softly: "If I hadn't gone to the hospital that day, would you have planned to never tell me about your child for the rest of your life?" Without hesitation, I replied: "Yes." When answering this question, I thought he would get angry and scold me, but what I didn't expect was that he laughed. He used his arm as a pillow, turned his head to look at me, and smiled brightly: "Then it seems my luck is not bad." "My luck is still bad?" I laughed: "How many people in this world can climb to a position like you with nothing? Who knows, in a few years, your child will be old enough to play soccer." "What if one day you suddenly die?" Da Than suddenly asked. I stopped, couldn't help but frowned: "Da Than, why don't you try talking nonsense?" Even though we are divorced, you have never done anything wrong to me. I hope you live a long time, at least until my company surpasses yours. "Just kidding," Da Than still smiled, his dark eyes suddenly brightened a little. “So will you be sad?” We broke up, and from then on I couldn't hold anyone else in my heart, or rather couldn't hold anyone else. Da Than and I have known each other for 6 years and been married for 3 years. Even if I lose a stone, I will be sad, let alone the person I love who has been with me through 9 years of ups and downs. I remember you asked me this question many years ago, and I joked that I would follow you to death so I wouldn't have to be sad anymore. He smiled and hugged me. But at this moment, I choked up, thought for a moment and then still spoke stiffly: "No." Even though I said that, Da Than's smiling eyes showed that he had heard the answer he wanted. “That's good.” I quietly looked at him, in his dark eyes seemed to show thousands of moments of our love for each other, moments engraved deeply into every inch of our lives.

my bones. I want to open my mouth to ask, did you really let go when you divorced? But maybe it's not necessary to ask anymore. His thousands of choices have already told this answer many times over. Da Than no longer loves me anymore. "Do you have anything to say?" Da Than asked, his tone leisurely. “After today, there won't be another chance.” “What do you mean? After today, I won't see you again?” “Yes, that's really good.” Da Than stared at me, smiling softly. At midnight, I was so tired, I don't know when I fell asleep. In the dream, it seemed like someone kissed my forehead. That kiss glided lightly across the forehead, to the tip of the nose, then stopped at the corners of the lips and chin, gentle and itchy. When I woke up, next to me was empty. It turns out it was all just a dream. I rubbed my eyes, preparing to stand up, but my fingers touched something cold. Is it water? That's not right, it seems like... tears. Da Than was true to his word, never coming back. For a long time after that, I didn't hear any news about him. Perhaps he is being controlled by his wife. My daughter gradually grows up, sometimes she asks about her father. Da Than is your biological father, I won't hide that from you. I know Da Than loves the baby very much, so sometimes I call him, thinking that if he doesn't want to answer my phone, he will also answer the call from his daughter. But he only heard one call. On the phone, his voice sounded tired, perhaps staying up late working. When my daughter heard his voice, she giggled non-stop. On the other end of the phone, Da Than's voice was gentle: "An An, call dad." My daughter immediately obediently called out: "Daddy!" Da Than smiled: "Good." But after that, I couldn't contact him anymore. At first it was just a shutdown, then the phone number no longer existed. There was no response from texting, he seemed to disappear from the world. I felt something was strange, so I called his friends to ask, but they all had the same answer: "Da Than is busy with work." Again, the phrase "no time", sounds really annoying. My daughter asked: "Mom, does dad not need us anymore?" I held my child in my arms and gently comforted her: "It's okay, mom is here." Thanks to Da Than's investment, my company is growing more and more. I earn a lot of money and raise my daughter alone. On my daughter's 18th birthday, I received a strange gift box. The box is pink, very sophisticated but looks a bit childish, like something a one or two year old would like. When I opened the box, a piece of paper appeared before my eyes: "I'm probably taking my daughter on a trip around the world right now, I don't need this much money anymore. I'll give it all to you, never bother you and your mother again." The bottom is signed Da Than, the handwriting is scribbled, not like his own. But the basic handwriting is still his, perhaps it has changed a little over time. Under the paper there is also a savings book. When I opened it and saw the amount of money, I almost thought that this was a joke, because this amount of money was enough to buy an entire company, at least Da Than's company in the past. It is said that his new family is very happy. Actually, over the years, many people have expressed their love for me, but I've always refused. I have to admit that, no matter how many years have passed, I still cannot love anyone else. I couldn't help but think to myself, it would be good to continue living like this for the rest of my life.