Chapter 15 — You Lost Me In The Paris Snow Season

Ha's mother fainted, causing chaos in the hospital room. The nurse had to bring a wheelchair to push her straight into the emergency room. But this time, no one bothered to fawn over and ask. Previously, relying on Ha Thua Chu's position as a valuable factor at the hospital, she always spoke in a superior tone. Now everyone knows: she scolded her official daughter-in-law for being a "chicken without laying eggs" and gave money to the vixen outside to repair the new house. A broken face can never be repaired. Ha Thua Chu lay on the hospital bed, looking towards the emergency room, his eyes were terrifyingly empty. Duong Tranh stood by the window, speaking in a monotone voice: "Your mother fainted. Luckily, she has more documents to add to the file." Ha Thua Chu did not hesitate. He was glued to the phone screen. That's a photo of my art exhibition contract, which my teacher just posted on a social networking platform. In the photo, I sit in front of the conference table, my hair tied in a bun, my profile calm. The status line reads: *Welcome Tham Tri Y back to the art playground.*

“Come back”. These two words stabbed his eyes until they turned red.

It turns out that during the years he forced me to stay at home, outsiders still clearly remembered where I belonged. Only he forced me into the kitchen, hospital room, and dining table of the Ha family. He suddenly opened the photo album and searched for a long time before finding a photo of me in a tuxedo. It was a hospital dinner party event 6 years ago. When someone asked me what I studied before, I was about to say "art curator" but he laughed and said: "Now she mainly takes care of the family. Art is just a hobby." At that time I didn't object, I just bent down to adjust his tie. He used to think that I was gentle and reasonable. Now he understands that behind that bowed head of resignation lies a whole world of disappointment. The phone bell rang. It's lawyer Luong. Ha Thua Chu answered the phone, his voice hoarse: "I signed. I will sign the divorce agreement. The property will also be divided according to her wishes. But I want to say one thing to her." Lawyer Luong still maintained a calm attitude: "Miss Tham will not answer the phone." Ha Thua Chu tightened his grip: "I'm not begging her to come back. I just want to say sorry."

"You can write it down on paper. I will forward it for you."

Ha Thua Chu smiled bitterly: "Will she read?" Lawyer Luong paused for half a second: "This is beyond the scope of my promises." After hanging up the phone, Ha Thua Chu lay motionless for a long time. Finally, he asked the orderly to get paper and pen. The handwriting is so slow. As soon as he wrote the first line, his hands were shaking. *Tri Y, I'm sorry.* Eight words, so light. But what he owes me is not just a simple apology like that. That evening in Paris, when I received the scanned copy of the letter, I had just walked out of the exhibition room. Lawyer Luong asked: "Do you want to read it?" I glanced at the attachment name, hesitated for a few seconds, then replied: "Save it. No need to open it." There are late repentances, looking a little further is a waste. I have more important things to worry about. Before the opening of the joint exhibition, the organizers announced that a local art collector wanted to meet me. This person's last name is Luc, and he is a member of a large art foundation. The teacher said, he has a very influential voice in the world. The meeting took place at the hotel's ground floor coffee shop. When I arrived, Mr. Luc was already waiting. About fifty years old, with a calm demeanor, but the first sentence he said surprised me a bit.

"Miss Tham, I've admired you for a long time. I took a look at your curatorial project six years ago."

I sat down: "Have you seen it?" He nodded: "That year I intended to invest in that project. After hearing the news of your withdrawal, I was very sorry. I didn't expect to see you return six years later." I smiled: "I didn't expect it either." Mr. Luc pushed a file towards me: "Next year our foundation will have a program to support women's art. I hope you can take on the role of general curator. Budget, team, autonomy, all can be negotiated." I looked at the documents, my fingertips slightly stopped. Over the past six years, I've always had to make decisions for others. For Ha Thua Chu, he took care of his family, for his mother's sake, he ran to cure her illness, and for the sake of the Ha family's reputation, he sacrificed himself. Now the choice is finally back in my hands. I looked up at him: "I need to read the entire plan. If there is consensus, I am willing to cooperate." Mr. Luc laughed: "That is the answer of a true expert." The phone in my bag vibrated a bit. I bent down to look. Message from Duong Tranh: "Ha Thua Chu has signed. But Manh Nha is determined not to vomit money. She's pulled a new trick." The next message immediately jumped up: "She found your parents." My eyes immediately turned cold. The relationship between me and my parents was not close at all. The day I married Ha Thua Chu, they only looked to see if the Ha family would flourish or not. Over the past few years, they have enjoyed the prestigious label of in-laws, but rarely ask if I am living well. Manh Nha came to them, and his aim was perfect. I stood up and apologized to Mr. Luc, then walked out the window to call home. As soon as the line was connected, my mother's excited voice came through.

"Tri Y, Ms. Manh said that you are making too much noise. Divorce is fine for women, but don't be so desperate. She also said that as long as you withdraw your application, she is ready to apologize to you."

I looked at my reflection on the glass, my smile fading: "Mom. What did she give us?"