Chapter 25 — Three hours before the wedding, I locked the house as a dowry

Before winter comes. The hallway lights of building 6, Nam Que Ly area, have finally been repaired. Return from work. I stood downstairs and looked for a long time. Previously, the light bulb on the fourth floor was always broken. On overtime days, I come home late. I had to turn on my phone's flashlight to light the way. I thought then. Wait for the house to be repaired. Waiting for someone to come home with me. Maybe this staircase won't be that long anymore. After that, someone actually came with me. But that person walked next to me. In my mind, I thought about getting the key for someone else. The hallway light was on. Each step is clearly visible. I walked upstairs alone. On the contrary, it is even more stable than before. In front of the door of apartment 402 hangs a brand new small wooden sign. It was hand-carved by my mother. There are only two words on it: The handwriting is not really neat. The edges are still a bit scratched. But I really like it. The warm yellow table lamp is shining. Mother sat in the study room arranging fabrics. Recently, she started receiving a few small sewing orders. No more stores open. Only accept work from acquaintances. Half of the book room is my documents. Half is my mother's box of thread and fabric. The outline for tomorrow's online sharing session is spread out on the table. The title is: Preserving Evidence When Renovating a House Before Marriage The items are clearly written: • Pay with your own account. • The key must have a handover record. • Any design changes require approval from the owner. • A relative's signature cannot replace the owner's will. • Do not sign property documents under pressure from the wedding or relatives. Right at that moment. Message sent by Tham Le.

"The third part should add one more sentence."

"The signing page should not be separated from the main content to be signed separately."

I replied:

"Added."

At moment later. He texted again:

"Do you need me to come in tomorrow?"

I thought a bit. Then answer:

"No need."

"I can do it myself."

A few minutes later. New message appears.

"When I'm finished, I invite you to dinner."

I didn't immediately agree. Also don't refuse.

"Let's see if we have time then."

Mom brought a bowl of soup from the kitchen. Look at the phone screen and smile.

“I don't push it.”

“The door just really opens…”

“When it is opened from the inside.”

Ten o'clock at night. I stood on the balcony. Nam Que Ly area is an old apartment complex. The wall has peeled off. Electric cars are parked everywhere. But this is my home. This is not the Phan family's retreat. Not Phan Khai Nam's wedding room. It's also not a common resource as others say. In the phone album. The wedding day photo is still there. I wear a wedding dress. Standing next to the red carpet. The hem of the dress is covered in dust. Hair is a bit messy. In his hand, he clutched a yellow paper file bag. The eyes are brighter than any wedding photo. I don't delete it. It's not a bad photo. It was proof that I had pulled myself out of a trap. Back to the desk. I edited the opening sentence of the shared post.

"Protection of assets before marriage."

"Home is not the enemy of love. Blurred boundaries are."

When pressing the save button. The light of Nam Que Ly still shines outside the window. I don't need to wait for anyone to take me home anymore. Before the online sharing session begins. I lowered the camera angle. The frame only reveals the bookshelf. And a small corner of a pot of green leafy gardenia. I did not mention the name of the Phan family. Also no details about the wedding. I Just talking about documents. And what needs to be done.

“A house repair contract cannot leave the investor part blank.”

“It is best to pay using your own account.”

“Lending keys must be recorded.”

“Changes to the design require owner confirmation.”

“Do not sign blank papers.”

“Don't just sign the last page.”

“Especially on the wedding day, at the wedding reception or when surrounded by relatives to advise…”

“Do not sign any property documents.”

Someone asked in the comments:

"Is that too calculated?"

I looked at that text for a long time. Then answer:

“Clear boundaries are not to stop loving.”

“But so that love is not swallowed by debts.”

After the sharing session. There are many messages in your private inbox. Someone said that they almost signed a paper adding their name before marriage. Someone said that my mother signed the house repair certificate on my behalf. Someone asked how the key registration form should be written. I save each message one by one. Prepare to make an outline for the next sharing session. I stood on the balcony. Watching the lights of Nam Que Ly light up one by one. Mom is tidying up fabric in the study room. Manh Mien sent a glowing scanner sticker. Tham Le asked:

"Did the sharing session go well?"

I replied:

"Very convenient."

After a few seconds. I sent another message:

"Let me invite you to dinner."

I placed the phone face down on the table. No regrets at all. The door was opened by me from the inside. Before going to bed. I moved the wedding day photo into a new album. The album name is: I no longer put it together with failures. that day. I lost a wedding. But I kept the house. Keep mom. And keep yourself. The person who was brave enough to stop in the middle of the red carpet.