Chapter 18 — The day I signed the divorce petition, I won the bid for a 30 billion VND project

The sound of a paper shredder rang out softly. Crushed pieces of white paper fell into the transparent box below. Seen from afar... Like a silent snowfall. Not a sound. There are doors... Once closed... Don't open them again. There are roads... Once you've gone through them... Don't turn back. Tieu Chu hurriedly ran over, panting while saying:

"Miss Tham, the car to pick everyone up for the celebration party is waiting outside."

I turned around and walked into the elevator. Just as the elevator door closed, the sound of rapid footsteps suddenly rang out in the hallway. I didn't press the door open button. The elevator slowly went down. The numbers displayed on each floor are constantly changing. Like a countdown. Just like... An ending. At the same time... It's a new beginning. The celebration party was held at a French restaurant. More than thirty people were present. They are all core members of the group. People drink a lot of alcohol. Also laughed a lot. Tieu Chu drank too much, hugged my arm and smiled innocently.

“Sister Tham, do you know?”

“When I first came for the interview, I thought you were very fierce.”

“Am I evil?”

She nodded vigorously.

“That day you asked me question after question, I was so nervous that my palms were sweaty.”

“But in the end, I still accepted you.”

“Because you answer best.”

I smiled.

“That has nothing to do with whether I'm evil or not.”

“Miss Tham…”

Tieu Chu pursed her lips.

“You live so rationally.”

“Can't you be a little more emotional?”

I thought for a few seconds then smiled.

“Feeling…”

“It's something that comes at a price.”

“But that price…”

“I can't pay.”

Tieu Chu was stunned. After a while, he burst out laughing.

“Miss Tham…”

“You have changed.”

“For better or for worse?”

She shook her head.

“It's gentler.”

Tieu Chu looked at me very seriously.

“When you said things like that before, your voice was very cold.”

“And now…”

“Her voice only left peace.”

Serenity. What a great word. Not because the pain is gone. Used to hurt. Then learn to let go. Like a scar. The skin has pulled the mouth. No more pain. But the traces still remain. It reminds you that... That place was hurt. Also reminds you... That you are healed. The celebration is over. I stood in front of the restaurant waiting for the car. The night wind is a bit cold. I pulled my jacket tighter. At that moment... A black car stopped in front. The car window slowly lowered. Revealing a familiar face. Not Luc Tu Hanh. It's Co Tham. The architect who joined me in the bidding that year. He smiled.

“Get in the car, I'll take you home.”

“No need.”

“I called a car.”

“It's already this late.”

he said.

"Insecure."

"Get in the car. I also want to talk to you a few things about the Van Gian project."

I thought a bit. Then open the car door and get in. It's very warm in the car. The low sound of Jazz music played softly.

“Congratulations.”

Co Tham laughed while driving.

“This award is completely deserved.”

“I have a question.”

“Just say it.”

“Have you ever regretted it?”

“Regret what?”

“Regret marrying Luc Tu Hanh.”

I was silent for a few seconds. Then gently shook his head.

“If it weren't for that marriage…”

“There would also be no Tham Nghien Thanh today.”

“So you think…”

“Those sufferings are all Worth it?”

“Not worthy.”

I looked out at the rows of street lights receding behind the glass.

“But if everything happened…”

“You can only learn to accept it.”

Co Tham turned to look at me. The corners of the lips curled slightly.

“Miss Tham…”

“You are the sanest woman I have ever met.”

I smiled.

“Not sober.”

“Just...”

“I've fallen a lot.”

“So I finally know how to stand up for myself.”

The car stopped under the apartment complex. I opened the door and walked down.

“Thank you, Mr. Co.”

"Nothing."

“Sleep well, Miss Tham.”

"Good night."

The car slowly left. I stood under the building. Raise your head and look up at your apartment. The light is still on. It's the light I intentionally left on before going out. That light... No one will be waiting for me. It's always bright. Because the person waiting for me... It's me. Three months later. Van Gian project officially started construction. On the day of the groundbreaking ceremony, many people came. There are city leaders. There are investors. There is communication. And also ordinary people. I stood in the middle of the crowd. Quietly watching the excavator lower the first dig into the ground. That moment... My eye sockets were a little teary. Not because of emotion. From the start of design until the official start of construction... This project took ten months. Ten months. More than three hundred days. Every drawing. Every number. Every edit. It's all my passion. And today... It's finally coming off the blueprints. To become reality. After the groundbreaking ceremony, I walked around the construction site fence. In the distance is a river running across the city. The water surface sparkles with sunlight. A few white storks are leisurely feeding on the shallow beach. The wind blew from the river surface. Carry the smell of water. And the smell of a new beginning. I took a deep breath. Then smile. Not a bitter smile. Not a cold smile. Genuine smile. Because from today... I am no longer anyone's dependent. Tham Nghien Thanh. An architect. A person used his own hands... To stand at the top. Later, someone asked me.

“Do you still hate him?”

I thought for a moment. Then smile.

“No more regrets.”

“Hate someone…”

“It also takes a lot of strength.”

“But now…”

“I want to spend all my energy…”

“To love yourself.”

Outside the window. The city is still brightly lit. Among those countless brightly lit buildings... There is a building... Designed by me. It will stand there for many years. Witnessed so many meetings and separations. Witness the sunrise. Also witness the sunset. Finally got out of an unworthy relationship. Standing at the top... Built by myself. People still say... The higher you stand, the colder it will be. The scenery there... It's really beautiful.