Chapter 17 — Three Thousand Yuan Every Month, In Return The Whole Family Is Ruined

The next day after being discharged from the hospital, we went to the civil service to file for divorce. During the process, we didn't say a word to each other. His face was pale, his stomach was still wrapped in a thick bandage, and he looked ten years older. As he walked out the door, he called me back: "Tham Duyet... sorry...", his voice was so hoarse and weak that it almost broke. I didn't answer, just raised my head to look at the sky and walked straight towards the sunlight, without turning back, because between us there was no need for an apology, just - never to see each other again. Half a year later, in autumn, I sat in the new company's office, watching the sycamore leaves slowly fall from the window. The sunlight shining through the glass onto my body was warm and gentle, the cup of coffee on the table was still slightly steaming. My new life has completely fallen into place, everything flows smoothly like a song that no longer misses the beat. I joined a leading company in the industry and, based on my abilities, was promoted to a project manager position in just half a year. The salary has doubled compared to before, although it still cannot make up for the huge amount of money lost, but I know that with time, I will earn it all back. I sold the house that haunted me countless nights, using the money to pay off my credit card debt. For the rest, I rented a nice small apartment near the company, lived alone, free and light as the wind. As for Vuong Lan and Chu Minh, I occasionally hear news from old neighbors, like pieces of lost memories that no longer touch my heart. Vuong Lan was sentenced to three years in prison for intentionally causing injury, while Chu Minh was discharged from the hospital and returned to his hometown, withdrawing from this city. It is said that his lover immediately broke off the relationship, and he lived quietly, in decline, relying on his father's meager pension. In order to pay off his debt and take care of his brother, Chu Tinh quit his studies and returned to his hometown to work in an office with a salary of more than two thousand, living hard every day. That family, once full of calculations and struggles, eventually disintegrated, and each person had to pay the price for their choices. As for me, I have also stepped out of the mud of the past, clean and calm, as if I had never been dragged down there. The phone vibrated slightly, I saw a bank message stating that the account had been transferred fifty thousand yuan, the balance was more than fifty thousand. I paused for a moment and then remembered, it was the money recovered from General Trieu's case, a little bit of debris left after the storm. Compared to the nearly one million lost, this amount of money is not much, but it is like the final dot ending a period of life. It's not perfect, but it's complete enough for me to know that what was lost is slowly coming back in another way. I laughed, a truly relieved smile, like for the first time in a long time, I was able to breathe deeply without any problems. After work, I didn't go home right away but stopped by the supermarket, picked out fresh ingredients and a bottle of mild wine. Returning to my small apartment, I personally prepared a hearty dinner, turned on light music, lit scented candles and poured a glass of red wine. Sitting alone on the moonlit balcony, I slowly enjoyed every bite of food, every sip of wine, every peaceful moment. I raised my glass towards the lighted windows outside, gently touching the void like a wish that didn't need anyone to respond. Respect the old me - weak and bowed, and also respect the me of today - strong and daring to live. Night wind passing by carries the sweet, gentle scent of cinnamon as a reminder that life still has a warm aftertaste. I know my journey has just begun, the road ahead is still long but this time, I will not live for anyone else. I will live for myself, for the life I choose, step through thorns without looking back, move forward, without fear.