Chapter 11 — Three Keys, One Broken Marriage

Having finished speaking, I raised my hand to call the broker over. He is a young man, speaks quickly, and has a very enthusiastic attitude.

“Hello Ms. Tham, Mr. Trieu.”

"The apartment information has been entered and all photos have been taken."

“This is a commission contract for sale, you two can help me take a look.”

“If there are no problems, it's okay to sign.”

I received the contract and seriously read it from beginning to end. Confirming there were no errors, I signed my name down. Trieu Vu is always looking at me. Looked for a long time. Finally he took the pen and signed.

"Alright."

The broker put the contract away.

“In the future, if a customer makes an appointment to see the house, I will contact you two immediately.”

"In addition, I recommend that you two clean up the house a bit more simply. A clean and tidy house will be easier to sell."

I nodded.

“I will handle it.”

Stepping out of the brokerage company, the sun outside was beautiful. I put on my sunglasses, blocking the bright light outside the lenses.

“Where are you going?”

Trieu Vu walked behind and asked.

“About the company.”

“Revise the design.”

“I'll take you away.”

“No need, I'll catch the bus myself.”

“Tham Thanh.”

Trieu Vu called me back.

“Do we… really have no more possibilities left?”

My steps stopped. But still no turning back.

“Trieu Vu.”

“There are things that happen, they just happened.”

“There are words that, once spoken, cannot be taken back.”

“There are people…”

“Once you miss it, there will be no turning back.”

Having finished speaking, I raised my hand to call a taxi and got in the car. Through the rearview mirror, I still saw Trieu Vu standing in the same place. The sunlight covered his body, lengthening the lonely shadow under his feet. Just lonely... Just struggling. But in my heart... There are no more ripples. Returning to the company, I immediately buried myself in work. The design was ruined, I had to redraw it all. Fortunately, the original file is still saved on the computer so editing is not too difficult. It's just that time is too urgent. I have to finish it before next Monday. That whole day I almost didn't leave my seat. Lunch is bought by an assistant. I ate a few bites and then continued to lower my head to draw the design. At three o'clock in the afternoon, the phone suddenly rang. It was Dao Dao calling. I don't listen. The bell rings for a while and then turns off automatically. A moment later, he called again. Still Dao Dao. I decided to switch my phone to silent. But she was clearly very persistent, calling after call non-stop. On the fifth call... I pressed the answer button.

“Sister-in-law, you finally answered the phone!”

Dao Dao's voice was full of impatience.

“Where are you?”

"At the company. What's going on?"

“Yes, of course!”

Her voice also carried a bit of blame.

“Sister-in-law, how can you put your house up for sale through a broker?”

“It's your house, how can you decide to sell it with just one sentence?”

I laughed out loud.

“Dao Dao, that house has my name on the register.”

“There's also your brother's name.”

“Do I want to sell or not…”

“Do I need to ask your permission?”

Dao Dao choked. After a while, she spoke again, her voice calming down.

“Sister-in-law, I didn't mean that.”

"I mean, the two of you haven't lived in that house for a long time, so why do you say you can sell it?"

“What a pity.”

“There's nothing to regret.”

I replied leisurely.

“It's a good thing to sell, everyone lives their own life, more pure.”

“Sister-in-law, don't say that…”

Dao Dao's voice began to carry sobs.

“I know I'm wrong, I shouldn't run to your house all the time.”

“I won't come anymore after this, really.”

"I'll give you the key too. I'll bring it straight to the company for you today."

"Please don't sell your house or divorce me, okay?"

I was silent and didn't answer right away.

“Sister-in-law, I beg you…”

This time Dao Dao really burst into tears.

“I love you very much.”

“This time he really knew he was wrong.”

“Can you give him one more chance?”

“If you two divorce, my father will definitely be angry and sick.”

I heard sniffling on the other end of the line for more than ten seconds before leisurely opening my mouth.

“Dao Dao, please call me…”

“Are you trying to help your brother?”

“Or do you want to help your parents?”

"I... I'm just afraid that you two will be angry for a while."

Dao Dao sniffed her nose.

“Sister-in-law, what marriage is without arguments? The two of you making so much noise, it's going to be hard to hear."

“So in your eyes…”

"The most important thing in this marriage is whether it's easy to listen to or not, presentable or not."

“I didn't mean that!”

Dao Dao panicked.