Chapter 2 — The Last Stop of Marriage

The phone in my pocket vibrated. Two words appeared on the screen: It is eight o'clock in the evening. A little sooner than I expected. I let the phone vibrate continuously, not in a hurry to answer. Their current scene was clearly visible in their minds. Driving all day, finally arriving home. The father-in-law will probably have a sad face, lie down on the sofa and complain about being tired from the long journey. My mother-in-law would urge Tran Huy to call to see if I was home yet. On the outside, she would say she was worried, but in reality she just wanted me to quickly go to the kitchen and cook. As for Tran Huy... When he finds out I'm not at home, he'll probably feel a little guilty. But more still is frustrating. He'll think I'm angry and trying to make a scene. The phone finally fell silent. I took each item out of the bag and placed it neatly on the tea table. Household registration book. Marriage certificate. Birth certificate. Four red notebooks lie next to each other. Like four lumps of red-hot iron, so hot that it made my eyes sting. I picked up my phone and texted Tran Lac a message.

"Are you home yet? Mom is at grandma's house, don't worry about her."

Messages are answered almost immediately.

"Mom! Why aren't you home? Dad is looking for you everywhere!"

Behind is a series of sobbing icons.

"Mom has some work to do. Go to bed early."

The message was just sent... Tran Huy's phone called again. This time, I picked up the phone.

"Tham Nhien! Where did you run off to?"

As soon as he connected, his growl rang out. Not a word of regret. Not even a single word of apology. Just full of obvious questions.

"Do you know how worried the whole family is about you? You suddenly left and can't be reached on the phone. How old are you still playing the missing game?"

I quietly listened to everything. When he was tired of shouting, his voice lowered a bit, but was still full of anger.

"Okay, don't make trouble anymore. Go home quickly. Mom and dad have been tired all day and haven't had dinner yet."

I finally spoke up. Very light voice.

"I can't go back anymore."

The other end of the line was silent. It seemed like he didn't understand what I meant.

"What do you mean you can't go back? Have you returned to your mother's house? Tham Nhien, this time you're clearly in the wrong!"

"Dad is old. The whole family went on this trip just for him to relax. I went to buy a few things but kept procrastinating. What if he impatiently said a few words? Just because of that, I got angry, even my husband and children ignored him?"

Every word he said... Like a dull knife. Slowly cutting away the last bit of love left in my heart.

"Tran Huy."

"In the end, who left who?"

"Why do you say that?"

"I asked you."

"Leaving me alone at the rest stop..."

"Whose idea was that?"

The other end of the line fell silent. A few seconds later, he hesitantly replied:

"...It was Dad's idea. Dad's health wasn't good. At that time, he was a bit dizzy and wanted to go home and take medicine. I... I had no choice."

"So..."

"You step on the gas and drive?"

"I thought you would come out soon! Who knew it would take you so long!"

"Besides, I'm an adult and I have my phone and wallet with me, so what could happen? After that, didn't you tell me to take a taxi home?"

If he hadn't said that last sentence... Maybe I would still have kept some composure. But just finished listening. The pent-up fire in my heart immediately flared up.

"Tell me to take a taxi home myself?"

"Tran Huy."

"It's more than three hundred kilometers from that rest stop to home."

"You told me a woman..."

"Midnight..."

"Call a taxi home yourself?"

"Well... what can I do? I'm driving Went dozens of kilometers. Would you still turn around to pick me up? It's very dangerous on the highway!"

Only now... Did he know the word dangerous? So when he left me alone in a strange place... Didn't he think it was dangerous? I took a deep breath, trying to force all the emotions rolling down.

"Tran Huy."

"We have nothing more to say."

"You're doing this again! Tham Nhien, can you be a little more mature? Don't come out and say something like that! Come back now! Don't make me say it a third time!"

His tone was commanding and impatient. As if I were his subordinate. Not the wife we've lived with for ten years. I slowly said each word clearly.

"I already told you."

"I can't go back."

"And later..."

"I will never come back again."

I hung up. Then turn off the phone. The whole world... Finally quiet. I leaned against the sofa, looking at the four red notebooks on the tea table. For the first time in many years... I feel strangely at peace. The past ten years. I gave everything for this family. It's obvious that at any time they can throw me away. In their eyes... I can't leave this house. Can't leave Tran Huy. Can't stay away from Tran Lac. They are not shy at all. If that's the case... Then let them see clearly for themselves. After all... No one can leave anyone. I turned my phone back on and called my mother.

"Tomorrow I will take Lac Lac back to stay with mom for a while."

On the other end of the phone, my mother was visibly happy.

"Okay! I've been waiting for you two to come back for a long time. So where is Tran Huy?"

"He's on a business trip."

I lied. At least for now... I don't want my parents to worry. After hanging up, I started packing my luggage. Carefully put the four notebooks in a secret compartment close to your body. Then put clothes, books and the Ultraman model that Tran Lac likes the most into the suitcase. Finally... I looked around at the house I had lived in for ten years. Our wedding photos still hang on the wall. In that photo. I smiled so happily. Tran Huy's eyes at that time... They were only directed at me. How ironic. I don't have any attachment left. The door lock made a "click" sound. Not only did he lock that house... But he also locked ten years of my youth. The tech car I called was waiting downstairs. I put my suitcase in the trunk and sat in the back seat. The car slowly rolled. I never looked back. Tran Huy... Along with his whole family. The game has just begun. Very soon... You will understand. When a mature woman decides not to argue or make a fuss anymore... That's when things really become serious. There will come a day... You will have to come and beg me. I'm sure.