After 5 months of divorce, I brought my new girlfriend home to meet my ex-wife to tease her. Who would have thought that as soon as the door opened, I would be the one to turn to stone…

After 5 months of dating, I brought my new girlfriend home to meet my ex-wife to tease her. Who would have thought that as soon as the door opened, I would be the one to be shocked…

My name is Quan, I am 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 that accumulated into an irreparable distance. On the day of the court hearing, I walked away with a sigh of relief, thinking that I had escaped that “suffocating” life.

Just a few weeks later, I met Huyen – a girl 7 years younger than me, beautiful, good at talking. Huyen’s appearance made me feel like I was reborn, reliving the feelings of my youth. And then, in a moment of impulsiveness, I had the idea of taking Huyen to meet Thao, to prove that I had a happier “new life”.

That day, the weather was cold in late autumn. I dressed neatly and drove Huyen to the old house where Thao was living. Huyen was a bit shy and asked quietly:
– Are you sure you should do that? I think it’s a bit strange.
I sneered:
– What’s strange? I just want to show her that losing me means losing the whole world.

We stopped in front of the gate. My heart was beating fast, not from excitement, but from the creeping joy. I rang the bell. From inside the house, familiar footsteps echoed. The door opened… and at that moment, I stood still.

Thao was not the only one who opened the door. Next to her was a little girl of about 4 years old, clinging to her mother’s skirt, her big round eyes looking at me in bewilderment. But what made me feel like someone punched me in the chest was… behind them, a tall man, dressed simply but with warm eyes, was naturally placing his hand on Thao’s shoulder as if they had been together for a long time.

– What are you doing here? – Thao asked, her voice calm, without any confusion.

I stammered:
– This… this is…?

The other man stepped forward and held out his hand:
– I am Minh, Thao’s future husband. And this girl is my daughter, now I also see Thao as my mother.

I felt my face heat up. The words “fiancé” cut my pride in half. I tried to force a smile, but the words stuck in my throat.

Huyen stood beside me, clearly surprised. She gently pulled my hand to signal me to turn around, but I remained still as if nailed to the floor. I couldn’t believe it – the woman I had thought was weak and miserable after the divorce – now looked so radiant and peaceful.

Thao continued, her voice soft but loud enough for me to hear:
– Quan, you don’t need to prove anything. We both have a new life, and I wish you happiness.

Having said that, she turned to hold the little girl, smiling warmly at Minh. At that moment, I realized – she had completely stepped out of the past, while I was still stuck in my own ego and complacency.

I turned away, my hands clenched, an indescribable feeling welling up in my heart – not jealousy, but emptiness. On the way home, Huyen was silent, and all I could hear was my heart beating, each heavy beat.

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

In the days that followed, I still lived with Huyen, still went to work, still laughed and talked, but my heart felt strangely empty. There were nights when I sat in the dark living room, a glass of wine in my hand, but I didn’t feel drunk. Thao’s image, the image of that smile, haunted me forever.

I recall our 6-year marriage. Thao didn’t ask for much, just wanted a peaceful home. But I, at that time, found her “boring”, “annoying”, and gave myself the right to leave to find new joy. Now, looking back, I realize that happiness is so simple, it’s just that I didn’t know how to appreciate it.

One time, by chance, I saw Thao and Minh taking their little girl to the supermarket. They walked together naturally and in harmony. Thao was radiant, her smile was truly happy. I intended to avoid her, but Thao took the initiative to greet me:

– Mr. Quan, long time no see. How are you?

Her voice was calm, her eyes no longer had any resentment. I tried to force myself:
– Yes… I’m fine. You… look so happy.

Minh smiled and shook my hand:
– Quan, thank you for taking care of Thao. Now let me take care of her.

There was no provocation in that statement, just a sincere statement. Yet I felt a sting in my eyes. I nodded, my heart heavy:
– Yes… take care of her for me.

I turned away, feeling a strange sense of calm. For the first time since the divorce, I could truly let go.

Coming home, Huyen asked:
– Are you still thinking about her?

I was silent for a long time before answering:
– I think… I was wrong, and lost the most precious thing in my life. But that is the past. I will not hold on to it anymore.

Huyen gently held my hand, saying nothing more.

From that day on, I lived differently. No longer had the false ego to prove anything, I began to learn to look back at myself, learn to be grateful, and learn to appreciate what I have.

My story ends with no return, no miracle to bring Thao back. But perhaps, that is life. When people are gone, only memories remain for us to grow up.

And I understand:
👉 Happiness is to be preserved while you still can, not a weapon to prove to anyone. Because once it’s gone, no matter how much you regret it, you can’t get it back.