Chapter 14 — The Last Stop of Marriage

See the situation is not good. Vuong Le quickly shook his arm.

"Don't trust her!"

"She just scared you!"

My thumb... Is on the Send button. Tran Huy screamed in despair. He grabbed the pen from the table. As if signing a contract to sell yourself. Tremblingly scribbled my name... On both agreements. Tran Huy seemed to have been drained of all his strength. He collapsed into the chair. Vuong Le stared at the two agreements. Looking at Tran Huy again, he was lost. Finally... She understood.

The "ATM" that I cling to...

She cursed once. Glaring at me with resentment. Then he stepped on his high heels, turned around and left without looking back. I hold two signed agreements. Carefully blow gently to dry the ink. Then fold neatly. Put it back in your bag. I looked at Tran Huy.

"Tomorrow morning, nine o'clock."

"Meet at the gate of the Department of Civil Affairs."

"Remember to bring your ID and household registration book."

"Don't be late."

He didn't answer. Just looked at me with blank eyes. I won't say any more. He bent down to hold Lac Lac, who was still sleeping soundly. Quietly turned around and left. Throughout the whole process... My heart was as calm as dead water. There is no feeling of gloating because of revenge. There is also no joy of the winner. The fatigue after everything finally ended. Step out of the park gate. The sunlight was so bright it was blinding. I squinted my eyes slightly. It feels like... I just came back to life. The next morning. Exactly nine o'clock. I was present at the gate of the Department of Civil Affairs. Tran Huy also came. After just one night. He looked ten years older. Deep sunken eye sockets. Beard grows jagged. Throughout the whole process. We didn't say a word to each other. Do divorce proceedings. Go to the real estate registration center to transfer names. All procedures... All went surprisingly smoothly. When the staff handed me... The divorce certificate. And the red book only has my name left. Everything... It's really over. Finally... I am free. Just walked out of the building. Tran Huy called me back.

"Tham Nhien."

I stopped. But don't turn back. His voice was hoarse.

"Why do I have to go to this extent?"

I slowly turned around. Look at the man... That I loved for ten years.

"When you and your dad left me alone at a rest stop on the highway..."

"Have you ever thought about what it means to be in love?"

"When you and your mother made up a story about your father being in critical condition to cheat me of money..."

"Have you ever thought about what it means to be in love?"

"When you took my money..."

"Go buy handbags..."

"Book a hotel room for another woman..."

"Have you ever thought about what it means to be in love?"

Three questions in a row. Made Tran Huy speechless. His face turned white... Then from red to pale.

"Tran Huy."

"It's not that I'm in love."

"It's you..."

"Step by step..."

"Put me to the edge."

"From now on."

"We..."

"No one owes anyone anymore."

I turned around and left. Never looked back. I'm not going home right away. But returning to the place that used to be our home. It's my own home. I called a technician to replace all the locks in the house. Collect all belongings belonging to Tran Huy and his family. Stow in front of the door. His father's fishing rod. His mother's dancing fan. Don't leave anything behind. I sent Tran Huy the last message.

"My brother's stuff put it in front of the door."

"Before five o'clock in the afternoon, come pick it up yourself."

"It's past time..."

"I will treat it like trash and throw it away."

Done it all. I sat in the middle of the empty living room. Call mom.

"I'm divorced."

The other end of the line was silent for a long time. Then there was the mother's suppressed cry.

"Go home, child."

"Go back to your parents."

That afternoon. I didn't wait for Tran Huy to come. Return to parents' house. I heard about it later. When you know the whole truth. Tran Huy's family was so chaotic that it caused a landslide. The mother-in-law ran straight to Tran Huy's company and made a fuss. Scolded him for being a family destroyer. My father-in-law was so angry that he was hospitalized. No more home. No more savings. Tran Huy had no choice but to bring his parents to rent an old apartment in a rundown residential area. Their lives... There has never been a peaceful day. Start a new life. I sold that big house. Buy a small apartment near my parents' house. My mother and I... Finally have a home that truly belongs to us. Serenity. I found a job I love. Live every day to the fullest. Lac Lac also quickly integrated into the new school. The smile on your face... More and more each day. A weekend afternoon. I took Lac Lac to the park to fly a kite. The kite flies very high. Lac Lac ran freely on the grass. Clear laughter echoed throughout the sky. I sat on the couch. Quietly look at your child. In my heart... There is only peace. The phone suddenly rang. It's a strange number. I hesitated for a few seconds. Then still picked up the phone. It's Tran Huy. His voice...

"Tham Nhien."

"What's wrong?"

"...You..."

"Just wanted to ask..."

"Lac Lac..."

"Are you okay?"

"I'm very strong."

"That's good..."

"That's good..."

The other end of the line fell silent again. A long time later. He just spoke.

"Tham Nhien..."

"I regret it."

Finally... He said it. A word of regret... Came too late. I smiled slightly. It's so light that I don't even notice it.

"It's not important anymore, Tran Huy."

"You live your life well."

I hung up. Raise your head and look at the sky. The kite freely flies in the vast space. I know... My life is like a kite. Cut off the rope that once bound me. From now on. The sky is high and the sea is wide. I will freely fly forward. Lac Lac turned his head. Waved vigorously at me.

"Quickly look at this!"

"The kite flies so high!"

I stood up. Run towards your child. On his lips was the most genuine smile after many years.

"Mommy's here!"