Chapter 9 — When I Learn How to Bloom Again

The last time I met Chu Van Bac... was in the meeting room of Trieu Tinh's office. Same room. Same long table. Only this time... the sunlight outside the window seemed brighter. Chu Van Bac looked more haggard than last time. Only half a month... but it feels like I've aged ten years. His hair is streaked with silver, the corners of his eyes are lined with deep wrinkles. The expensive suit he was wearing... was strangely empty. In his eyes... No more anger, no more unwillingness. Only gray despair remains. He sat across from me, head bowed, not saying a word. The whole person exuded a feeling of collapse. His lawyer pushed a thick stack of documents toward us.

“Miss Tan, lawyer Trieu.”

"This is a divorce agreement and property division according to the content agreed upon by both parties."

“All terms… were confirmed over the phone yesterday.”

Trieu Tinh received it and read each line carefully. I don't look. I know, you will check everything for me. My eyes... fell on Chu Van Bac. This man... I used to love him. Also hated. But looking at him now... In my heart... there's only emptiness left. Like looking at a stranger.

"No problem."

Trieu Tinh finished reading and pushed the documents towards me. I hold the pen. The tip of the pen is cold. At the end of the agreement, I saw Chu Van Bac's signature from before. The handwriting is crooked and weak. Carrying tension and unwillingness. I don't hesitate. Take down your pen and sign your name — Tan Tranh. Each stroke is neat and decisive. Each stroke… like a cut. Completely cut off from the past. After signing, I picked up another sheet. Power of attorney for Trieu Tinh to handle all subsequent property transfer procedures. I also signed. The whole process… was less than five minutes. I didn't say a word to Chu Van Bac. Don't look at him again.

“Sister, the rest is up to you.”

I told Trieu Tinh. She nodded. I turned around, preparing to leave.

“Tan Tranh.”

Behind him, Chu Van Bac's hoarse voice rang out. I stopped. But don't turn back.

“Do you… hate me that much?”

he asked.

“Hate so much that I have to personally destroy everything of yours?”

I was silent for a while. Then slowly spoke up. The voice was so calm that there were no ripples.

“Chu Van Bo.”

“I never wanted to destroy you.”

“I just… don't want to keep destroying myself anymore.”

“The person who destroyed you… was never me.”

“It's your greed… and your brazenness.”

Having finished speaking, I walked away and left the meeting room. Behind him, a muffled sound rang out... like the scream of a cornered animal. I don't turn around. At the end of the hallway... is a bright light. I take step by step, steadily... moving towards that direction. I know, from this moment— My life… has turned a page. As for Chu Van Bac, and all the rotten things that belonged to him... I buried them... yesterday. One month after signing the divorce agreement... It was the month I lived the most fully in the past ten years. Trieu Tinh's team showed incredible ability. All assets in Chu Van Bac's name... are processed, divided, and transferred at the fastest speed. The large apartment in the center, where he and I lived for ten years... I sold it. From posting the news to closing the transaction... it only took three days. Not the slightest bit of attachment. That house full of lies... I don't want to stay another second. Using that money, I bought a house High floor duplex, lake view, in a quiet area on the other side of the city. There is also a large terrace garden. That's the type of house... I've dreamed of countless times. Chu Van Bac once laughed at me and said I was unrealistic. Now… I realize that dream myself. Two cars... both transferred to my name. I sold the car he used to use and changed it to a small red sports car. In the past, I always wore a simple long dress and sat in the passenger seat. I can take the wheel myself, press the accelerator, and rush on my own path. The amount of nearly ten million that he transferred... was completely recovered by the court. Plus five hundred million in compensation for mental damages. The balance in my account... became a number that I had never dared to think about before. The riverside apartment in Truong Vi's name... was also executed. The red book changed to my name. I'm not there. Also not for sale. I assigned it to a high-end broker, renting it by the month. Looking at each rent payment flowing into my account… For the first time, I truly understood— Money… brings a sense of security. As for the insurance contracts in his mother's name... Trieu Tinh helped me handle them according to the law. Because the insurance premiums are paid during the marriage, they are part of common property. I got half of my payment back. Not much. But the meaning... is huge. That was the clearest response... to all his calculations. Everything happens... neat and orderly. Trieu Tinh in turn gave me each title transfer document and each execution record. She smiled and said:

"Tan Tranh, now you are a rich woman."

I also laughed. But compared to the two words "rich lady"... I prefer another word.