Chapter 2
Edward Quan ·
Hành Tuấn lifted his long fingers.
“It’s all right.”
After a pause, he added lightly:
“But if she can’t adjust to the pace of working life, she could stay home.”
The manager nodded repeatedly.
“Yes, of course.”
I set down my fountain pen, grinding my teeth.
When the presentation ended, I stayed where I was.
Hành Tuấn stayed too.
He sent his assistant to discuss the partnership.
Only the two of us remained.
“What did you mean?”
I stared at him.
“Was that a dig at me?”
His brow rose.
“No.”
I pressed my lips together and changed the subject.
“I’ve never heard of you working with this company. Why now? And why come personally? Was it because…”
Of me?
Before I could finish, he interrupted evenly.
“You’ve never taken an interest in these things. Of course you wouldn’t know.”
I froze.
I had no answer.
Just then, the young woman who had given the presentation came in.
The heroine from the comments.
She paused at the sight of us.
“You two…”
Hành Tuấn stepped back, putting a safe distance between us.
She spoke easily.
“Sorry to interrupt. I left my USB drive.”
He nodded.
“It’s fine.”
I opened my mouth, then closed it.
In the end, I only gave a small nod.
Apparently, nothing I did could change the plot.
Before I had time to feel miserable, I was called away.
Ms. Trương, assigned to show me the workflow, patiently demonstrated on the computer.
“This folder has templates for all kinds of contracts. Familiarize yourself with them so they’re easier to use later. Call me if you have questions.”
Then she left.
I skimmed through the contents.
My gaze stopped.
My fingers moved.
I opened the folder labeled “Divorce Agreement.”
And carefully saved a copy to my USB drive.
Then I turned.
I had no idea how long the man behind me had been standing there.
His calm gaze moved from the monitor to my face.
My heart tightened.
“Hành Tuấn…”
The air seemed frozen.
The silence made me panic.
“It’s like this… A friend of mine is fighting with her husband. She wants a divorce.”
The explanation tumbled out.
My voice grew weak despite myself.
“I was just looking into it for her.”
I wanted to slap myself.
Why had I instinctively made an excuse?
And such a clumsy one.
Still, knowing him, he wouldn’t ask much.
I relaxed a little.
Unexpectedly, he calmly asked:
“Which friend?”
“Why haven’t I heard you mention her?”
“…”
Why had he suddenly developed a taste for persistent questions?
After a silence, I replied:
“You’ve never taken an interest in these things. Of course you wouldn’t know.”
He lowered his eyes to me.
His lashes trembled faintly.
After a long time, he turned and left.
04
Our cold war lasted half a month.
He moved into the guest room.
Some nights, he even slept at the office.
Meanwhile, I had a lawyer helping me draft a divorce agreement.
During our marriage, the Lương and Lục families had collaborated on so much business.
Pull one thread and the whole thing would move.
A divorce would inevitably involve property disputes, so it needed careful, gradual handling.
Then one evening, I came home after working late.
In the dim light, a tall figure sat on the downstairs living-room sofa.
I stopped.
“…Hành Tuấn?”
I realized I could no longer smile and call him darling in that sweet voice I used to use.
He looked up.
“Were you waiting for me?” I asked hesitantly.
Everything was silent.
No answer.
Fine.
Imagining he cared again.
Just as I turned toward the stairs, his level voice reached me.
“We’ll attend the business reception together the day after tomorrow.”
I was about to refuse, then reconsidered.
The divorce wasn’t settled.
If people started gossiping, our parents would worry.
In the dim light, we looked at each other.
I gave a listless sound of agreement and went upstairs.
Silence.
He remained motionless on the sofa.
05
At the reception, I took his arm.
Suddenly, it felt painfully awkward.
Nothing remained of how much I used to enjoy being close to him.
Fortunately, I spotted a friend.
I immediately let go and hurried over, escaping that uncomfortable contact.
Hành Tuấn stood still for a moment.
His fingertips brushed the arm where my warmth still lingered.
…
My friend took my hand and chatted excitedly.
“A few days ago, my husband and I went to see a volcano. It was incredible.”
“We’re planning an island vacation next.”
“Anyway, how are things with your Mr. Lương?”
I pressed my lips together and didn’t answer.
Looking at her bright eyes, I suddenly asked:
“Do you… usually talk to each other a lot?”
“Of course!”
She looked as though I had asked something bizarre.
Then she frowned.
“But we argue all the time too!”
“Every fight makes me so furious I could punch him to death…”
“He’s always the one who makes it up to me in the end.”
I listened, dazed.
Hành Tuấn and I had never argued.
When we disagreed, I always gave in.
If I did something that displeased him, even when I didn’t believe I was wrong, I was still the one who softened my voice and apologized.
I heard nothing else my friend said.
Seeing my expression, she asked with concern:
“Want to sit in the lounge for a while? It’s a little stuffy here.”
I shook my head and got up to use the restroom.
Glasses clinked throughout the reception.
Many guests had flown in especially from abroad.
I had also encountered several old acquaintances.
Hành Tuấn was probably talking to his friends too.
My thoughts were a mess as I walked.
Then I heard a familiar low voice.
“It’s all right.”
I stopped.
Someone immediately replied:
“We told you back then. If you didn’t love her, you shouldn’t have agreed to the arranged marriage.”
“And look where you are now.”
“Exactly. You didn’t want it yourself at the time.”
“I think you should follow your heart.”
“See? This is what happens when you’re not firm enough.”
What happens…
A terrible mistake…
I silently looked down at the toes of my shoes.
I had always believed he felt at least something for me.
We had known each other since childhood, after all.
I thought that later, as the comments said, the beautiful, independent heroine had attracted him and made him change his mind.
But apparently…
He had never had feelings for me.
To him, our marriage was only a mistake.
Someone went on:
“At least it’s good you’re getting divorced now. Escape the misery sooner rather than later.”
I turned and left immediately.
Anger and frustration rose inside me.
Escape the misery?
For years, I’d soothed him and yielded to him.
And he thought he was miserable?
Why hadn’t he asked for a divorce sooner?
Oh, right.
The heroine hadn’t appeared then.
Now she had.
He no longer wanted to force himself.
Fuming, I walked straight into someone’s chest.
I stepped back and apologized hurriedly.
“Sorry! Are you all right?”
“…Lục Kinh Phù?”
A hesitant voice answered.