Chapter 4 — The Last Stop of Marriage

My parents didn't ask anything else. The two of them just quietly tidied up the room for me. Then cook a full table of my favorite dishes. That wordless support... Stronger than any words of comfort. I'm out. But not wandering. I made an appointment to meet Tieu Lam. My college friend. Three years ago, she got divorced. Raising my daughter alone. Now life is extremely stable and comfortable. In a quiet corner of a coffee shop. I told her the whole story. Not a single detail is missed. Tieu Lam did not comfort me. Just calmly ask one question.

"What do you really want?"

I was stunned.

"...I..."

"I want him to apologize."

Tieu Lam shook his head.

"Nran Nhien."

"Apologies..."

"It's the cheapest thing in the world."

"Today he can kneel down and beg you."

"Tomorrow can still trample on your self-esteem."

"You should ask yourself."

"What you really want..."

Those words. Like a bucket of cold water. Made me completely awake. What I want... Absolutely more than just two words of apology. I want... From now on, something like today will never happen again. I want... In that family. I am no longer someone who can be sacrificed at any time. I want... All my efforts to be seen. Your self-esteem is respected. I want... Tran Huy to really become a husband. A father. Know how to take responsibility. Not... The shadow forever hides behind parents.

"I understand."

I looked at Tieu Lam. Speak very softly. Tieu Lam smiled.

"It's good to understand."

"Don't talk about feelings."

"Just say the conditions."

"All your requests..."

"Write each thing down clearly."

"Black and white on paper."

"Love will change."

"But the deal is not."

She ordered me a latte. Then laughed and said:

"Reclaim everything that belongs to you."

After breaking up with Tieu Lam. I'm not going home right away. But visit a printing shop. Each condition was formed in my mind... I typed it into clear text. Print in two copies. The title reads: Agreement on family responsibilities. Look at the paper you just printed out. My heart is at peace like never before. This is not revenge. Save yourself. When I got home... It was almost evening. Mom told me:

"There was a man walking back and forth downstairs this afternoon."

"Sneaking and sneaking."

I immediately understood. It's Tran Huy. He was more impatient than me. I don't bother to pay attention. Still calmly eating with her parents, watching TV, talking as if nothing had ever happened. The next morning. I wasn't fully awake yet when my mother knocked on the door.

"Nran Nhien."

"Tran Huy is here."

"...Your father-in-law also came."

I walked to the window. Gently lift a corner of the curtain. My family's black Passat was parked right in the most visible spot. Tran Huy leaned against the car door. His face was full of impatience. And his father, Tran Quoc Dong, clasped his hands behind his back, walking back and forth by the flower bed. His face was gloomy as if he was about to explode. I laughed coldly. What did I say? Come alone. In the end... He still couldn't do it. Or rather. Tran Quoc Dong did not allow him to come alone. In his world. If the daughter-in-law dares to rebel... then the head of the family like him must appear personally. To suppress. My phone rang. It's Tran Huy. I picked up the phone.

"I'm here, I'm downstairs."

His voice was very small. Like afraid someone will hear.

"I see."

"Then come down. Let's talk."

"What did I say yesterday?"

Tran Huy was speechless.

"I said..."

"I came alone."

"My father... didn't feel secure and insisted on following. Nhien Nhien, can you go down first? Let's deal with the main issue first."

I answered emphatically.

"I don't want to see him."

Right at that moment. On the other end of the line, Tran Quoc Dong's roar rang out.

"Tell him to get down here right now!"

"How long is he going to cause chaos?"

Perhaps Tran Huy quickly put the phone away. The voice became vague.

"Dad... just keep your voice down..."

I can almost imagine the chaos over there. I'm not interested.

"Tran Huy."

"My patience has limits."

"Tell him to leave."

"You stay."

"You two go away."

I hung up. Stand by the window. Quietly looked at the two people downstairs. Tran Quoc Dong pointed to the upper floor. Open your mouth and curse loudly. So much so that the neighbors who were exercising had to turn their heads to look. Tran Huy stood next to him and tried to pull him back. Face flushed. Just embarrassed. Just impatient. It's been difficult. That's my husband. A man... Even my own father couldn't advise him. Let him come to his mother-in-law's house and make a scene. About ten minutes later. Tran Huy sent me a message. Nhien Nhien, can I ask you a favor? My dad's heart is not good, don't make him angry anymore. I'll give you the household registration book first. I guarantee that after completing the procedure, I will immediately take my father home and make him apologize to you. Still empty promises. Still using my father's health... To force me to give in. I laughed. Then walk to the desk. Take the "Family Responsibility Agreement" that I printed out yesterday. Take a clear photo. Then send it to him. Include exactly one sentence.

"Give it to your father to read everything."

"After reading..."

"Tell him to go away."