Chapter 11 — The Darkness After a Model Marriage

“That intern, did you notice it from the beginning?” I stopped. “No.” “So when did you find out?” “When he imitated you.” “Isn't it the same?” “Very similar. But he didn't know one thing.” “What?” “When talking to your mother on the phone, you never said 'the company's capital turnover is a bit stressful'.” She was stunned. “You would say: ‘Mom, have you eaten yet?’” The door slowly closed. behind me. The hallway is very long. The light is very bright. I walk very slowly. The phone vibrated in my pocket. It's a message from mom.— Nghien Dinh, the warehouse owner, asked when mom was leaving. Mom said to wait for her son to pick her up. I answered one question.— Almost. 8 The divorce agreement was signed three days later. To Uyen Thanh did not compete. She only brought with her a house that belonged to her pre-marital property, which she owned before she started working at Tham Thi. The remaining assets are left in the agreement. The lawyer next to him reminded in a low voice: "Miss To, according to the law, you have the right to claim the corresponding property in the couple's common property." To Uyen Thanh shook her head. "No need." "Miss To..." "I said no need." She finished signing the last word and put the pen on the table. Then he raised his head and looked at me. "Are there any other papers that need me to sign?" I pushed a document over. She looked down. Declaration of voluntary renunciation of company shares. She laughed. That smile brought with it a certain relief. “Even this I have prepared.” “Shares are tied to the marital relationship. The marriage ends, the shares should also end.” “What if you don't agree?” “The board of directors has passed the resolution to buy back.” “So there is no choice.” She picked up the pen and signed. Three documents. Divorce agreement. Declaration of renunciation of shares. Minutes confirming handover of the company. She used a minute and a half to sign three documents. A marriage of seven years, one and a half minutes. “It's over.” She stood up. I also stood up. Outside the meeting room door were two people wearing uniforms. Not the police. It's an investigator from the Economic Investigation Team. Seeing them, To Uyen Thanh's steps stopped. "So fast?" "The chain of evidence of the fraud case is complete. The Procuracy officially approved the arrest warrant." She did not say. The investigator stepped forward. "To Uyen Thanh, you are suspected of committing fraud. Currently, we are arresting you according to the law." She turned to look at me. "When will you pick up your mother?" "This afternoon." "Tell her to apologize for me." "Why do you have to say it for me?" "I don't have the face to see her anymore." After saying that, she followed the investigator out. There was no one watching in the hallway. Tran Nham had already let everyone leave. The moment the elevator door opened, she tilted her head. "Tham Nghien Dinh." I looked at her. "If there is an afterlife, don't look for me anymore." The elevator door closed. Her face disappeared behind the metal door. I stood in the hallway. Don't go to see off. Also don't turn around. At four o'clock in the afternoon, I drove to the warehouse to pick up my mother. It is a warehouse located in the corner of an old logistics area. The front door was filled with cardboard boxes, the air mixed with the smell of Styrofoam and plastic. Mother sat on a small chair in the security room. In front of him is a rice cooker with noodles cooking inside. Seeing me, she stood up. "Nghien Dinh, why did you come without warning?" "I came to pick you up." She wiped her hands, a bit embarrassed. "Then let me pack my things." Her belongings were very few. A suitcase, a plastic basin and a square folded blanket. “No need to carry these anymore.” I said. "It's still usable." "The old house is still intact. Clothes, blankets, pots and pans, bowls and chopsticks were not lost." She was stunned. "They didn't touch it?" "They did. But before signing the contract, I let the photographer save it and

Take inventory of each item. The things the other person couldn't move remained in place." Mother's lips moved slightly. Then she bowed her head. "Where is your father's photo?" "In the office drawer. Still intact." Tears fell from her eyes. Not bursting into tears. But silently falling drop by drop. She used the back of her hand to wipe it once and then wipe it again. "Let's go, I won't take it anymore." "Are these things not needed?" "No more. Leave everything behind, including this time." She pulled the suitcase and went out. I took the suitcase and followed behind. The car left the logistics area. Mom sat in the passenger seat, still looking out the window. "Nghien Dinh, that warehouse is a bit cold." "I know." "At night when I sleep, mice run on the ceiling." My fingers tightened on the steering wheel. "There will be no more mice." She nodded. The car turned into the path leading to the old house. The sycamore trees are still the same wall. I stopped the car in front of the door and stood for a long time. "Come in." She pushed open the iron gate and the cinnamon tree in the yard was still in bloom. She walked in and stood in each room for a while.