Chapter 14 — The Final Flip: When I No Longer Have Patience

“Dad… it's done.”

On the other end of the line, he let out a long breath.

“It's done... it's done, it's good.”

"Go home, my child. Your mother is cooking your favorite braised pork dish."

I hung up. It feels like the whole person is recharged with energy. I packed my things. I don't stay. This place… holds so many memories. It is a gift. But also a scar. I will sell it. Get a new start. Maybe a small coffee shop. Or a long trip. The future… is unfolding. Just as I was about to leave the area. The phone rang again. I hesitated for a second… then listened.

"Tu Cam! This scumbag!"

Chu Le's voice rang out, both crying and screaming.

“Haven't you harmed my mother and me enough!”

“What else do you want!”

I frowned and was about to hang up.

“My husband… my husband asked for a divorce!”

"He said the Chu family is a complete scammer! He asked for a divorce! He even asked me to return the car!"

"It's all your fault! You hurt me!"

I was silent. Not because of criticism. But because... too familiar with this type of blaming.

“Tu Cam, I tell you, don't you dare live in peace!” “My brother and I will not let you go!” “My brother told me, he still has a big card of yours in his hand!” “Just wait, we will definitely make you lose your reputation!”

I smiled softly. A kind of smile that I even recognize... I'm no longer the same person anymore.

“Then… I wait.”

I hung up. The afternoon wind blew. Everything… finally became quiet. But I know. This story... It's not completely over yet. Chu Le's call was like a fly buzzing in my ear, noisy and annoying but not enough to bother me for another second.

“The trump card?”

Just hearing it made me laugh. A woman who couldn't keep her marriage, a man I exposed to the core, clean of both honor and money. Can they still keep what is called a "weapon"? I replied, my voice calm as if talking about the weather.

“Tell him to keep using it.”

I hung up and conveniently blocked that number. With people like them, I have no interest in wasting another sentence. They have lost all ability to hurt me. The rest is just impotent anger, self-burning. I returned to my parents' house, had a warm meal in the true sense of "returning", where there were no plans, only the smell of braised meat and peace that I had long forgotten. I told the story of the house in Han Lam Uyen. My father just patted my shoulder and said a very simple sentence, but enough to reassure me.

“That thing was originally mine.”

My mother's eyes were red, she held my hand tightly, her voice choked as if she was afraid I would return to my old ways.

“Girl, don't be foolish in the future.”

I smiled and nodded. I won't be foolish anymore. The years of trying to the point of exhaustion, the trampled feelings... I buried them all with that divorce paper. There's nothing left to turn back. The following days, I began to process the entire property. The land in the countryside quickly had a buyer. Mr. Ly's family, the largest farming household in the village, needed land for his son to build a house to get married, so he decided almost at first sight. We signed the contract at the committee, witnessed by Uncle Phuong. Thirty-five thousand, one-time payment. On the day the contract was signed, Chu Minh and Trieu Hong were also present. After only half a month of not seeing each other, they seemed to have aged ten years. Trieu Hong's hair is more than half white, his eyes are dull, and he no longer has any of his old energy. Chu Minh kept his head bowed all the time, silent like a child who knew he was wrong but had no chance to correct it. I heard that Chu Le was kicked out by her husband, her car was taken back, and all three of them were now crowded into a damp rented room, living under the avoiding gaze of the whole village. The handover process took place very quickly. I gave the key, along with the land book bearing my father's name, to Mr. Ly. From that moment, it was all over. I held the check for thirty-five thousand and walked past them. Don't look. Don't stop. They are no longer related to me. The house in Han Lam Uyen was also sold quickly, beautiful location, good schools, and in less than a week a buyer paid in full. Two hundred sixty thousand. After deducting expenses, I have more than two hundred fifty thousand left in my hand. Plus the fifty thousand taken back before and thirty-five thousand from the countryside. My account has more than three hundred thousand for the first time. I used that money to buy myself a high-floor penthouse with a terrace, in the most expensive but also quietest area of the city. Standing on the unfinished rooftop, looking down at the city lights stretching out like a sea of stars. I feel like... I'm finally at the right place in my life. I think everything is over. The threats of Chu Minh, Chu Le... were just the last echo of an old story. Until… I got a call.