Chapter 8 — You Lost Me In The Paris Snow Season

“Miss Tham has already paid.”

"She told me that if there was an argument, property dispute, or physical threat in the hospital room, everything had to be recorded as evidence."

Manh Nha and mother Ha simultaneously stood still. As for Ha Thua Chu's face, he became even more haggard. Tham Tri Y is in Paris. But each next step had been planned by her in advance. She didn't run away in panic. Before leaving the stage, she turned on all the lights. So that all those hiding in the dark have nowhere to hide. At that moment, the nurse's phone rang. It was lawyer Luong calling. After connecting the call, the assistant turns on the speakerphone. Lawyer Luong's voice rang out clearly:

“Mr. Ha, Ms. Tham asked me to convey the message.”

"If a dispute continues to arise in the hospital room, she will immediately apply for a no-contact order against Ms. Manh."

"In addition, the recent recording proves that Mr. Ha's mother clearly knew about the large expenses, which we will add to the case file."

Ha's mother's legs were soft. She had to hold on to the edge of the chair to stand steady. Manh Nha bit her lips tightly, her whole body trembling. And Ha Thua Chu just quietly closed his eyes. At this moment, he finally understood. Tham Tri Y is not here. But her influence was even more terrifying than when she stood in front of them. The Paris sky is washed clean by the rain. The lights in the exhibition room bounced off the glass cabinets, making it as quiet as a layer of water. I stood in front of an installation art work, listening to the teacher introduce the upcoming exhibition plan. His voice was slow, carrying the characteristic gentleness of the French.

“Tri Y, you are much more stable than six years ago.”

I smiled softly: "Six years ago I wasn't brave enough." He shook his head: "It's not that you're not brave, it's that you're using your courage to the wrong person." I don't deny it. Six years ago, I received your invitation. At that time, I had just gotten married not long ago. Ha Thua Chu said he doesn't like his wife staying abroad for long periods of time. He said the family needed someone stable, the doctor was too busy, and if his wife focused too much on her career, the marriage would fall apart. At that time, I believed. I later understood that one person's career does not ruin a marriage. What really ruins a marriage is someone using their partner's concessions as a stepping stone to move forward. He gave me a file: "Next month there will be a joint exhibition in three locations: Paris, Berlin, Milan. I hope you will take on the position of co-curator." I looked at the name on the file, my fingers clenched slightly. It's the position I've always dreamed of. Just because of Ha Thua Chu, I missed it three times. This time, I didn't hesitate at all. He laughed: "Welcome back."

“Welcome back” – these four words are better than any consolation.

As I signed, the phone vibrated. It's a recording from lawyer Luong. Mother Ha and Manh Nha were in the hospital room blaming each other. One said the other cheated money, the other said the other knew the situation. I heard two sentences and then turned it off. Not because of softness. It's because it's too noisy. My time is so precious right now, it's not worth wasting on them. Duong Tranh also sent a text message: "The housekeeping arrangements are really professional. The Ha family and their mother now talk very gently." I replied: “You get what you pay for.” He texted again: "Manh Nha just admitted that Ha's mother went to choose a bag with her. The recording has been transferred to lawyer Luong.” I looked at the screen and smiled slightly. Sometimes people are not afraid of smart opponents, just afraid of consistently stupid enemies. As soon as I put the phone away, a strange number called. I picked up the phone. On the other side was a young voice, carrying a sobbing sound: "Is it Tam Tri Y?" I am a family member of the person stabbed by Manh Nha's ex-boyfriend." I stopped walking: "Tell me." The girl sniffled: “That person didn't use a knife for no reason. Manh Nha tricked him into saying he was single and tricked him into investing in buying that small apartment. Then she clung to her husband and kicked him. He came to ask for money, and she scolded him for being so poor that he went crazy. That's why it happened.” My eyes turned cold: "Do you have proof?"

"Have. Chat history, transfer history, and even a recording of her admitting to taking money to buy bags." The girl trembled: "My brother is also in detention now. It was wrong for him to use a knife, whatever the law defines is the crime. But Manh Nha cannot help but pay the price.”

I walked out onto the balcony outside the exhibition room. The rain stopped, the air was cold.

“Send all documents to my lawyer. I will not absolve your brother of his crimes, but I will not ignore what Manh Nha has to bear."

The other person thanked him profusely. After hanging up the phone, I immediately contacted lawyer Luong. After listening, he only said one sentence: “This clue is very important. If it is proven that Manh Nha caused the stabbing incident due to economic and emotional disputes, Ha Thua Chu's disciplinary action at the hospital will be much more severe." I calmly replied: “It's not that I want him to suffer more. But the truth is that it is inherently that heavy.” Lawyer Luong was silent for a moment: "Understood." I looked up into the distance. On the Seine River, a tourist boat floated lazily by. The light was crushed by the surface of the water, then merged back into a strip. I took the ring out of my bag. The wedding ring is very simple. In the past, Ha Thua Chu said that doctors were not comfortable wearing elaborate rings, so I also chose the most minimalist design. He always uses his career, habits, and future to determine my life. Now it's over. I put the ring in the envelope and gave it to the hotel receptionist to express it back home. The recipient was Ha Thua Chu. The note had only four words: *Item returned to the original owner.* The receptionist confirmed the address, I nodded: "As quickly as possible." Early the next morning, the ring was brought to the hospital room. Ha Thua Chu trembled and tore the envelope. The ring rolled onto the bed sheet, lightly hitting his wrist bone. Ha's mother reached out to pick it up, but he grabbed it tightly. The metal dug painfully into the palm of my hand. His eyes were red. In the envelope there was also a piece of paper. Neat handwriting: *Return the ring to me. Give me back to myself.*