My name is Quan, 35 years old, and I just divorced my wife – Thao – exactly 5 months ago. Our marriage lasted 6 years, then broke down because of small conflicts but accumulated into an irreparable distance. On the day of the trial, I walked with relief, thinking that I had escaped from that “suffocating” life.

Just a few weeks later, I met Huyen – a girl 7 years younger than me, beautiful, and good at talking. Huyen’s appearance made me feel like I was revived, reliving the feeling of youth. And then, in an impulsive minute, I came up with the idea of bringing Huyen to meet Thao, to prove that I had a happier “new life”.

That day, the late autumn sky was cold. I dressed neatly, drove Huyen to the old house where Thao lived. Huyen was a little embarrassed, and asked quietly:
“Are you sure you should do that? I see… a little strange.
I sneered:
“What’s strange? He just wanted to show her, losing him was losing the whole world.

We stopped the car in front of the gate. My heart was beating fast, not because of nervousness, but because of the gloating gloating. I rang the bell. From inside the house, the sound of familiar footsteps echoed. The door opens… And at that moment, I stood dumbfounded.

The person who opened the door was not Thao alone. Next to her was a little girl about 4 years old, clinging to her mother’s dress, her big round eyes looking at me in a daze. But what makes me feel like someone punched me in the chest is… Behind them, a tall man, dressed casually but with warm eyes, was placing his hand on Thao’s shoulder naturally as if they had been together for a long time.

–Brother… What are you doing here? – Thao asked, his voice calm and not a little confused.

I stammered:
“Here… This is…?

The other man stepped up and held out his hand:
“I am Minh, Thao’s fiancé. And this child is my daughter, now she also considers Thao as a mother.

I felt my face burning. The phrase “fiancé” resounded like a knife that cut narcissism in half. I tried to laugh, but every word I was about to say was choked up.

Huyen stood next to him, obviously surprised. She gently pulled my hand and motioned for me to turn around, but I still stood still as if nailed to the floor. I couldn’t believe – the woman I once thought was weak, would suffer after the divorce – now looked so radiant and peaceful.

Thao continued, her voice was gentle but enough for me to hear clearly:
“Quan, you don’t need to prove anything. We all have a new life, and I wish you happiness.

Saying that, she turned to hold the little girl, smiling warmly at Minh. That moment, I realized—she had completely walked out of the past, and I was still stuck in my ego and my own complacency.

I turned away, my hands clenched, and an indescribable feeling surged in my heart—not jealousy, but emptiness. On the way back, Huyen was silent, and I could only hear my heart beating, every heavy beat.

That night, I lay tossed and turned. In my mind, Thao’s calm eyes, her smile as she stood next to the new man. I understood one thing – happiness is not to “tease” someone, but to cherish and preserve it while we can. And I lost it, forever.