Chapter 3 — The Last Stop of Marriage

The next morning. I slept until I woke up on my own. Sunlight filtered through the curtains, falling gently into the room. Extremely warm. This is my mother's house. My own room... Still retains the same appearance as before I got married. In the air there was a faint smell of camphor wood from the old chest. Since early morning, my mother went out to buy my favorite food. Hot and stirred soy milk. Seeing me wake up, she happily called out:

"Nien Nhien, hurry up and eat. Mom just bought it, it's still hot."

My father sat next to me reading the newspaper. He pushed up his glasses and glanced at me.

"Where is Tran Huy?"

"He's on a business trip. He has to be gone for a while."

I calmly repeated that lie. Dad just said "Yes" softly. Don't ask anything more. My parents are always like that. Never interfere too much in your daughter's life. But forever is my strongest support. Finished breakfast. I received a call from Tran Lac's homeroom teacher.

"Are you Tran Lac's mother?"

"I'm calling to remind you that tomorrow is the deadline to confirm admission requirements for middle school by region."

"When you come to check in, remember to bring the original household registration book and house ownership certificate."

"Work at the Education Department."

"Definitely don't miss the deadline. If you miss it, you'll have to wait until next year."

I tightened my grip on the phone. The corners of his lips curled slightly into a cold smile.

"Yes, thank you Ms. Wang. I will be on time tomorrow."

What needed to happen... Finally arrived. Moreover, it came faster than I thought. More accurate than I thought. That's also the reason... I brought those documents with me. Tran Lac's studies. It's the most important thing in that family. Second only to father-in-law's health. Perhaps even more important than his health. Because this matter is related to... The Tran family's reputation. And the future of the family. I leisurely took sips of soy milk. I'm not impatient at all. The impatient person... Is on the other side. Less than ten minutes later. The phone rings again. Still Tran Huy. His voice was no longer angry like last night. Instead, there was an impatience that could not be hidden.

"Tham Nhien, where are you? I just asked my mother, she said you went back to your mother's house."

I replied leisurely.

"You brought Lac Lac's household registration book, right?"

He gets straight to the point.

"What do you want to do anyway?"

"The teacher called me just now, saying tomorrow is the deadline to submit the application!"

"I took the household registration book, what did Lac Lac use for admission procedures?"

His voice rose again. I can almost imagine the frantic look on his face right now.

"That's my job."

"There's no need for you to worry."

"My business?"

"That's my son!"

"Tham Nhien, don't be too harsh!"

"Exaggerated?"

I asked back.

"So compared to your whole family leaving me alone in the middle of the highway..."

"Which is more outrageous?"

On the other end of the line... Silence once again. But this time... The silence was filled with anger and helplessness.

"I... I'm taking revenge!"

"You used your child's future to take revenge on us!"

I casually admitted.

"It's true that I'm taking revenge."

Tran Huy choked. A long time later. His voice just calmed down. Almost pleading.

"Nran Nhien, can we stop talking about this?"

"I'll give you the household registration book first."

"Let me finish the admission procedures for Lac Lac."

"This is a big deal, impossible delay."

I nodded.

"It's a big deal."

"It has nothing to do with me."

"Why is it unrelated?"

"I'm the boy's mother!"

I smiled faintly.

"From the moment you guys threw me at the rest stop like a bag of trash..."

"I am no longer yours."

Those words were so wonderful. The wound in my heart. Only lovelessness can stop the bleeding.

"Tham Nhien..."

Tran Huy's voice was mixed with choking sounds.

"In the end, what do you want before you return the documents?"

This is what I'm waiting for.

"Want to resolve this matter..."

"Okay."

"You go to my mother's house yourself."

I stopped for a moment. Then emphasize each word.

"Only you are allowed."

"If you dare bring your father or mother along..."

"So this whole life..."

"Don't expect to see your household registration book and red book again."

"I will think about Lac Lac's studies myself."

"At best..."

"I brought my child here to study."

"My household registration is still here."

On the other end of the line... Silent as death. I clearly heard Tran Huy's heavy breathing. The conditions I offered... Hit his biggest weakness. Forcing him to come alone... Means he's forced to face me himself. I can't continue to hide behind my parents like I have for so many years. That also means... He was forced to go against his father's wishes. But for Tran Huy... That is the most difficult thing in the world.

"...I'll come alone."

After a long time, he gritted his teeth and said each word.

"I'll be right over."

"No need to rush."

I replied slowly.

"I'm not free today."

"Tomorrow morning, exactly ten o'clock."

"Wait for me downstairs at my mother's house."

"Tomorrow morning?"

"No time! Tomorrow is the application deadline!

"That's your problem."

"Not mine."

I hung up the phone again. Then drag him straight to the block list. Each operation is seamless and decisive. My father folded the newspaper and looked over.

"Argued with Tran Huy?"

"He bullied you?"

Dad stood up. Come next to me. Gently pat my shoulder.

"My parents are here."

My nose suddenly stings. Tears almost fell. But I tried to hold back. It's not the time to cry. I stood up. Look at your parents.

"I'm going out to take care of some business."

I need to prepare for tomorrow's conversation. What I want... More than just an apology. I want to get back everything I've lost in the past ten years. Self-esteem. Equality. The right to make decisions within this family. Hopefully tomorrow... You will give me an answer that will satisfy me. Otherwise... The papers in my hands... Will no longer be just a card to threaten you. Which will become... Evidence that proves our marriage... It's time to end it.