Chapter 19 — Three Keys, One Broken Marriage

Stepping out of the check-in counter, sunlight fell through the glass onto the small notebook in my hand. The two words gently reflect a layer of pale light under the sunlight. Trieu Vu stood in front of me, slowly exhaling a long breath.

“So… it's really over.”

I put the divorce papers in my pocket.

“You are free.”

“But I don't feel any relief.”

Trieu Vu smiled bitterly.

“On the contrary, it feels like someone suddenly pulled me out of a familiar world.”

“Then later…”

“Please remember this feeling well.”

I looked at him.

“Don't continue to consider other people's limits…”

“It's the world that you naturally allow yourself to exist in.”

Trieu Vu looked at me. In his eyes there was regret and unwillingness. There was even a bit of awakening that came too late.

“Tham Thanh…”

He spoke in a low voice.

“Then you will understand…”

“I'm not arguing with your parents over the keys.”

“I'm comparing with you.”

“Unfortunately…”

“I realized it too late.”

I replied very quietly. Then turned around and walked out the door. When passing by Trieu Vu, I just gently nodded.

"Done."

“Do you need me to take you home to get your things?”

Trieu Vu asked. I agree. On the steps in front of the gate of the Civil Affairs Department, Trieu Vu still stood in place. Immobility. Trieu Vu started the car and looked at him through the rearview mirror.

“He looked very distressed.”

“Everyone has to pay the price for their choices.”

I looked out the window.

“Before…”

“It's always my responsibility.”

“It's his turn.”

The car turned out of the intersection. The gray and white building of the civil affairs department was quickly left behind. When I returned to the apartment complex once called "home", it was just after one o'clock in the afternoon. The hallway is dim. The corner of the wall is still stacked with cardboard boxes that neighbors haven't had time to throw away. I used the last key to open the door. The moment the lock turned... I suddenly felt a strange, dull pain in my heart. The smell of old cigarettes mixed with the smell of beer and alcohol immediately rushed in. The house still retains almost the same chaotic appearance as the night I left. It's just beer cans and cigarette butts that someone hastily removed. On the tea table there is another piece of paper. It's Trieu Vu's handwriting.

“I will clean this place up.”

“At least when people come to see the house, it looks like a roof.”

“If you agree…”

“I want to buy back your share.”

“I don't want An An to pass by this building in the future…”

“I don't even dare say the words 'this was your old house'.”

I stood still and read all those lines. Don't sigh. Don't cry either. Just quietly fold the paper in half and put it on a corner of the table. I looked around the living room, silently taking inventory in my heart. These large pieces of furniture can be left with the house. My own stuff is actually not much. A few books. A coffee maker I'm familiar with. Several models and drawing kits. I put each personal item in two suitcases one by one. Every time I put something away... It's like a small thread has been pulled out of my heart. When the book was finally placed in the suitcase... I suddenly realized. There's nothing that really holds me anymore. I entered the office. The blueprint that was ruined the other day has disappeared. On the table was replaced with a brand new white sheet of paper. Next to it, there are also some colored pens. Trieu Vu probably bought it for An An. Sunshine Through the half-closed curtain, it tilts and shines on the table. Small dust suspended in the light. I raised my hand and pulled the curtain open. The whole room immediately became much brighter. I stood in front of the window, looking down at the greenery and children's play area under the apartment. The kids were chasing each other around the slide. Laughter echoed faintly.

“It's okay for you guys to argue.”

“It's okay to laugh and joke.”

“It has nothing to do with me anymore.”

I said silently in my heart. After cleaning up, it was almost four o'clock in the afternoon. I pulled two suitcases and stood in front of the door for a while longer. In the shoe cabinet, I still have a pair of sneakers and a pair of slippers. I hesitated for a few seconds. Finally, just wear sneakers. The slippers remained in place. It's like leaving this house a trace to prove that I once existed. It's like I'm reminding myself... From now on, this place will no longer be a place where I can freely walk around barefoot. The door gently closed. The lock made a "click" sound. Like the last rites of a marriage. I took out the key. Hold it in the palm of your hand and look for two seconds. Then open the lid of the trash can in the hallway and throw it down. The sound of metal hitting the plastic wall rang out clearly. That sound echoed through the narrow hallway for a brief beat. Then it fell completely silent. Downstairs, Trieu Vu was leaning by the car door waiting for me. Seeing me get down, he immediately walked over to take the suitcase.

“Got it all?”

I nodded.

"If there's something you don't want to keep, don't be reluctant to take it away."

“New place…”

“You can slowly buy it back.”

“I only brought the necessary things.”

I smiled softly.

“The rest…”

“Consider it like the tuition I paid for this marriage.”

We got in the car.

“Where to next?”

Trieu Vu asked.