Chapter 5 — You Lost Me In The Paris Snow Season

Paris is drizzling with rain. When I woke up at the hotel, it was already afternoon in the country. After the phone regained network signal, messages poured in like a flood. Ha Thua Chu called twenty-seven times. Ha's mother sent forty-three voice clips. Manh Nha is more interesting. In just half an hour, she went from crying and begging to threatening. I didn't bother clicking to see any news. I poured myself a glass of water and pulled the window curtains. The trees on the banks of the Seine River are washed and shiny by the rain. In six years, this was the first time I didn't need to see He Thua Chu's duty schedule. No need to calculate what time he gets off surgery. No need to buy medicine for his mother. There's no need to get up in the middle of the night because of a "stomach pain" from him. Freedom comes quietly, but its echo is louder than any revenge. Lawyer Luong sent progress: "The hospital has suspended Ha Thua Chu's approval. Manh Nha's real estate has completed the sealing procedure. Ha's mother intended to go to her company to cause trouble, but was invited out by security." I texted back: "It's been hard for you." He sent another photo. It is a receipt for service of the divorce agreement. Signatory: Ha Thua Chu. When I looked at those three words, I didn't feel any pain in my heart, I just felt a bit of light humor. In the past, I wrote his name on countless hospital bills, hospital fee receipts, and commitment papers from family members. Now it was finally his turn to sign for my freedom. The doorbell rang. Hotel staff brought a bunch of white tulips. The card only had one sentence written: "Wishing you a smooth trip." Signed: Duong Tranh. I took a photo and sent it back to him: "Flowers received." Duong Tranh texted back quickly: "Ha Thua Chu woke up and asked three times where you were. I didn't say." I smiled softly: "Thank you." He continued texting: "Manh Nha is crying so much right now. She says she doesn't know anything." I replied: "Then let the court teach her." As soon as the message was sent, Ha Thua Chu's phone called again. I should have hung up. But my finger stopped, then I still clicked to listen. The other side is very noisy. The sound of nurses, machines and equipment, and even the sound of Ha's mother trying to suppress her cursing. Ha Thua Chu's voice was hoarse: "Tri Y. Go home." I sat by the window: "Let's get to the point." His breathing slowed slightly: "Can you withdraw the documents from the hospital first? I just finished surgery, I can't bear to be attacked. The job title review is very important to me." I looked out the window.

"Marriage is also very important to me. When you ruined it, did you ask if I could handle being attacked?"

He was silent. A few seconds later, his voice lowered: "I admit that Tieu Nha and I are close. But in my heart I always have you." I laughed out loud.

"You have me in your heart. So you let her spend my money. Let her sit in my co-pilot's seat. Let her stay in the hotel room where you used my birthday as the password. Let her, when you were injured, push me to empty the toilet."

The other end of the line was terrifyingly silent. I continued: "Ha Thua Chu, it's not that you have me in your heart. It's that in your life you need a person named Tam Tri Y. When you need dignity, she stands behind you. When you struggle, she kneels beside your bed. When you lack money, take out the shared assets. put it on. When something happened to you, she cleaned up the trash for you." Ha Thua Chu spoke hoarsely: "You are wrong. You are really wrong. You go home, I will completely cut things off with Manh Nha." I picked up the cup and took a sip of water.

“It's late.”

He frantically said: “It's not too late. We can't just say goodbye to our six-year relationship." I looked at the faint mark on my ring finger. Ring removed. The mark has not yet faded. But the skin will heal on its own. The same goes for humans.

“I quit.”

Ha Thua Chu's breathing suddenly became chaotic: "Tham Tri Y, don't force me. If you force me too much, I won't agree to a divorce. It will last a few years.” I rolled my eyes: “Okay. Separated for two years, filed for divorce. Assets during the marriage continue to be investigated. The longer you drag, the more thoroughly I look.” On the other side of the phone, Ha's mother finally couldn't help but grab the phone: "Tham Tri Y, you lost your conscience! Thua Chu has already ended up in this situation and you still plan with him!” I put the phone away a bit. Waiting for her to finish cursing, I spoke up.

“Mom, your voice is still so strong. Very suitable to open in court.”

Ha's mother fell silent. I said: “Starting last night, all my calls are recorded. Every sentence I told you to serve, told you to be patient, told you not to make trouble, I will save for the judge to hear.” Ha's mother felt like she was being strangled. The phone was returned to Ha Thua Chu. His voice finally revealed panic.

“Tri Y, do you have to be so unfaithful?”

I replied: "It's not that I'm in love. It's because you people are blocking your own way of life." There was a light knock outside the door. The waiter reminded me that the pre-appointed makeup artist had just arrived.