Chapter 2 — Three Days Lost Both Mother and Wife

The voice was calm but without any heat.

"Dad... Where is Kien Thanh? Where is she?"

Co Dan Thuong took a step forward, his face full of impatience.

"Don't call me dad."

He smiled faintly.

"I can't accept it."

The look in his eyes only showed coldness.

"Where my daughter is, you have no right to know."

At that moment, his mother-in-law came out of the house. Her eyes were red from crying too much. When she saw Co Dan Thuong, there was only anger left in her eyes.

"Co Dan Thuong.

Do you still dare to come here?"

"My daughter marries you, wholeheartedly takes care of the family, and is filial to her mother-in-law."

"What did it do wrong?"

"And you treat him so cruelly?"

"My mother-in-law passed away."

"My husband cannot be contacted."

"He carries everything alone."

"Crying until my eyes are red and swollen."

"After taking care of the funeral, he just said he wanted to leave this place that hurt him."

"We respect her decision."

"I... I really don't know..."

"Auntie... please tell me where Kien Thanh is."

"I will explain."

Co Dan Thuong almost begged.

"Explain?"

Mother-in-law burst out laughing. A bitter smile.

"When you and your secretary were having fun at the resort, why didn't you think that one day you would have to explain?"

"Get out of here now!"

The couple did not say any more words. They directly pushed him out. The door slammed shut. Completely separate him from that house. Date of return to company. Everyone realized that Co Dan Thuong had changed. Face haggard. His eyes were filled with fatigue and gloom. The story of him taking Tan So Anh abroad to "survey the project" was a secret that the whole company implicitly understood. Believe he abandoned his dying mother. Leave his wife alone to take care of the funeral and then quietly leave. Has spread everywhere. Every look towards him carries different emotions. Some people are curious. Some people pity me. There are also people who don't bother to hide their contempt. Right at that moment. Tan So Anh knocked on the door and entered. Her eye sockets were red. Tears welled up.

"Dan Thuong...

I'm sorry... I didn't expect things to turn out like that. If I hadn't insisted on taking you to survey that day... She reached out to touch him. Want to comfort. It was also the first time... Co Dan Thuong looked at her with completely unfamiliar eyes. The face he had seen before was gentle and pitiful. Now it just makes him feel extremely dazzling.

"I'll go out first."

"I want to be alone."

Tan So Anh was stunned. Lips slightly pursed. In the end, I just silently turned around and left the office. Co Dan Thuong forced himself to sit down and handle his work. He couldn't read a single word of the document in front of him. I want to quell the gossip out there. But don't know where to start. What people tell each other... It's all true. The reputation he has built over the years. It's collapsing little by little. Just because of what happened in my family. One week later. The phone suddenly rang. It's a strange number. A calm and professional woman's voice rang out on the other end of the line. I am lawyer Trinh Kien Vi. According to the full authorization of Ms. To Kien Thanh, from today, all procedures related to divorce will be handled by me." Listen here. Co Dan Thuong's heart suddenly became heavy.

"I want to meet her."

"Miss To has no intention of meeting anyone right now."

"All problems will be handled on my behalf."

"You must have seen the divorce agreement."

"Miss To voluntarily gave up all common property."

"The only thing she wants is for this marriage to end as soon as possible."

Co Duan Thuong smiled softly. A smile full of sarcasm.

"Leave empty-handed?"

"Does she think that I will believe her?"

"Or is it just a soft and tight game?"

The other end of the line immediately responded in a somewhat colder voice. A long "thush" sound rang out on the phone, cold and deafening. Co Dan Thuong held the phone so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

“I do not agree to divorce.”

His voice was hoarse. The other end of the line remained calm as before.

“Sorry, Mr. Co.”

“I am only Ms. To's authorized representative.”

“If you have any opinions about the divorce procedure, please talk to me.”

“I want to meet Kien Thanh.”

“She won't see you.”

“I can explain.”

Lawyer Trinh Kien Vi smiled slightly, his voice was still professional but mixed with a bit of coldness.

"There are some things that, if you miss them, you won't have a chance to explain anymore."

“You think she's just angry?”

“She's not angry.”

“She just… doesn't need you anymore.”

The last five words were like a knife stabbed straight into Co Dan Thuong's heart. He grinned.

“Don't need me?”

“Kien Thanh has loved me for so many years. She will not give up easily.”

“She's just trying to force me to bow.”

“I understand her.”

The other end of the line was silent for a few seconds. After that, Trinh Kien Vi slowly said:

“From start to finish.”

“Someone who has never understood Ms. To.”

“It's you.”

The phone was immediately disconnected. Less than ten seconds later. A file has been sent. File names are very short. Co Dan Thuong stared at the screen for a long time. Finally, still shaking my hand, I pressed it open. The first image that appears is the funeral room covered with white chrysanthemums. In the middle. His mother's photo was quietly placed on the altar. The corners of Co Dan Thuong's eyes turned red. The camera moves slightly. A thin figure dressed in white mourning clothes was kneeling in front of the coffin. It's To Kien Thanh. It's only been three days. She became noticeably thinner. His once white face was now pale and bloodless. His eyes were red and swollen, but there were no more tears. She bowed her head to greet each guest. Receiving condolences alone. Sign the papers alone. Arrange the ceremony alone. Alone holding the urn of ashes. Throughout the entire video. There was no sign of Co Dan Thuong. Someone asked in a low voice:

“Where is your son?”

To Kien Thanh paused for a moment. Then smiled softly.

“He… is on business.”

Her voice was very light. No resentment. Also no further explanation. Just that one sentence made Co Dan Thuong suffocate. I remember it very clearly. He was having dinner with Tan So Anh by the beach. She even smiled and asked him:

“These three days belong only to you, okay?”

The video continues to play. After the guests left one by one. The funeral room became quiet. To Kien Thanh knelt down in front of the photo. She gently stroked the photo of his mother. The corners of his lips curled slightly into a sad smile.

“I'm sorry.”

“If I could have called him earlier that day…”

“Maybe Mom won't have to wait so long.”

Speaking of this. She choked. Shoulders trembled slightly. But still tried to suppress my crying.

“I tried my best.”

“The doctor said…”

“The chances are too slim.”

“You really…”

“Can't save mom.”

Final tears also fell. Falling on the cold tile floor.

“I'm sorry.”

“I can't keep my mother.”

“I can't keep this family anymore.”

She bowed deeply before the photo. Haven't stood up for a long time. The video stopped at that moment. The whole office fell into silence. Co Dan Thuong still sat motionless. Both eyes are bloodshot. He stared at the darkened screen. It feels like someone's heart is being crushed little by little. In your memory. To Kien Thanh has never cried in front of others. Despite all the injustices. She just smiled and said:

“It's okay.”