Chapter 7 — Three Days Lost Both Mother and Wife

It's To Kien Thanh. Just one photo. It made Co Duan Thuong's eye sockets turn red. How long has it been... He hasn't seen her smile. The day I was still with you. She is always busy taking care of her family. Take care of your mother. Wait for him to get off work. Worry about every meal. He never asked. Whether she is really happy or not. That afternoon. The plane landed in the coastal city. Co Dan Thuong did not notify anyone. Drive alone to the address in the photo. Small quiet street. Both sides of the road are filled with bougainvillea flowers. Different from the prosperous city he was familiar with. He stood from afar. See the wooden sign hanging in front of the door. Thanh Moc Design Studio. To Kien Thanh is smiling and talking to a guest. That smile is natural. Not forced at all. That moment. Co Duan Thuong suddenly understood. Leave me. She really lives better. His heart ached. He unconsciously took a step forward. But then stopped. He remembered what his father once said.

“Don't bother Kien Thanh.”

He also remembered the lawyer's words.

“She doesn't want to see you.”

He just stood quietly under the opposite tree. Look at her busy. Watching her water the flowers. Watching her see off guests. Until it got dark. Studio closed. To Kien Thanh carried his bag and walked out. Just a few steps. She suddenly stopped. One hand unconsciously placed on his stomach. His face turned pale. Co Dan Thuong reflexively tried to rush forward. But she quickly took a deep breath, stood up straight and continued walking. He had to quietly follow behind. The coastal road is very deserted. The steady sound of waves hitting the shore. Walked for about ten minutes. A motorbike roared from behind. Two young men wearing helmets rushed forward. The person sitting behind suddenly yanked the bag from To Kien Thanh's shoulder. She lost momentum and fell onto the road. The bag was still held tightly in his hand. The robber was angry. Pulled out the folding knife from his body.

“Let go!”

To Kien Thanh instinctively hugged the bag tightly. There's more than just money inside. But there are also documents for prenatal examination. She bit her lip. Determined not to let go. Just as the blade was about to strike. A figure rushed forward from behind.

"Careful!"

Co Dan Thuong used all his strength to push To Kien Thanh aside. The blade immediately cut a long line on his arm. Fresh blood gushed out. The robber was startled. Seeing someone running around, he quickly pulled his accomplices and ran away. Everything happens in just a few seconds. To Kien Thanh sat stunned on the ground. Until you raise your head. She could clearly see the person blocking her face. That face... Even though it's a lot thinner. She still recognized it immediately.

“Co… Duan Thuong?”

Her voice trembled slightly. Co Dan Thuong quickly took two steps back. It seemed he was afraid she would misunderstand.

“You…don't worry.”

“I was just passing by.”

“Didn't mean to follow you.”

Blood from his arm dripped onto the road. But what he cared about was not the wound. It's the person in front.

“Are… are you hurt?”

“Does it hurt anywhere?”

“Let me call a car to take you to the hospital.”

To Kien Thanh did not answer. Her eyes slowly fell to his arm that was constantly bleeding. The white shirt was stained red in a large area. Memories of the old days flashed by. The day before. Just cut your hand a little. The person who is most worried is always her. And now. The two people stood facing each other. The distance is only a few steps. As far away as two worlds. Right at that moment. A sudden sharp pain spread from the lower abdomen. To Kien's face Thanh immediately turned pale. She instinctively clutched her stomach and staggered backwards. Co Dan Thuong was just about to step forward to block him. Then I saw a thin piece of paper fall from the bag. The paper was blown to one side by the sea breeze. The bold letters on the top of the paper made his pupils contract violently. Pregnancy examination card.

“Pregnancy examination… form?”

Co Dan Thuong's voice was hoarse. His whole body stiffened in place. The paper was blown by the sea breeze and rolled to his feet. It's clearly written on it. Pregnancy is about twelve weeks. Co Dan Thuong's mind was blank. He slowly raised his head to look at To Kien Thanh. His eyes were filled with disbelief.

“Kien Thanh…”

To Kien Thanh's hand instinctively placed on his stomach. Immediately after that, she bent down to pick up the examination form and carefully put it back in her pocket. From start to finish. She didn't explain at all. Not even denying it. Just that one move. It was enough for Co Duan Thuong to understand everything. It's your child. Two conflicting emotions rose in his heart at the same time. And pain. He is about to become a father. But he was also the one who made his wife pregnant during the most painful days. Right at that moment. A car suddenly braked on the side of the road. The hospital's personal doctor stepped down. It was the person who called To Kien Thanh before.

“Luckily, I found you.”

The doctor looked at her face and immediately frowned.

“Did you just get hit?”

“I have a bit of a stomach ache.”

To Kien Thanh nodded slightly. The doctor immediately became serious.

“I told you.”

“The fetus is not stable.”

“Absolutely do not let your emotions provoke you.”

“You have to go to the hospital to get checked right away.”

Hearing the words "the fetus is not stable", Co Dan Thuong's heart felt like someone was squeezing it. He instinctively stepped forward.

“Let me take her.”

The doctor looked at him.

“I am her husband.”

The sentence just ended. The air immediately froze. To Kien Thanh calmly spoke up.

“He is the ex-husband.”

Those four words. Light as wind. Again, Co Dan Thuong's face turned pale. The doctor was a bit surprised, but did not ask further. He supported To Kien Thanh's arm. Before getting in the car. To Kien Thanh suddenly turned his head. Her eyes stopped on Co Dan Thuong's bloody arm. She took out a clean handkerchief from her pocket. Place it on the hood of the car next to you.

“There's a lot of blood.”

“Go to the hospital and get bandaged.”

She turned around and got into the car. Never looked at him again. The car quickly left. Co Dan Thuong stood silently in the middle of the coastal road. On the hood. The white handkerchief was gently swayed by the wind. He trembled and took it. The familiar scent still lingers. It was a scent that he could smell every night before.