One weekend evening, Mr. Le Minh Tuan (41 years old, living in Hanoi) stood still under the balcony of a three-story house in a new urban area in Ha Dong ward. The lights were issued from the living room, where the two boys were studying, while the woman who was his wife was busy in the kitchen.
He stood there for a long time, but did not ring the bell.
The day before, I entered that house with my key. Now, I only dare to stand and watch from afar, he said.
Mr. Tuan (born in 1984, from Nghe An) is an electromechanical engineer, currently running a company that provides electricity and water solutions for projects. Stable economy, having her own house in Hanoi.
His ex-wife was born in 1991, from Hai Duong, is a university lecturer, and also built her own business.
They have known each other since they were young, fell in love and got married, and had two sons together. Including the time of dating and getting married is nearly 12 years. Two years ago, that marriage ended in a divorce papers.
"We did not break up because of poverty or lack of responsibility towards our children, but because we were no longer connected," said Mr. Tuan.
In the period of 2019-2022, his wife's business was at a loss, and financial pressure piled up. Mr. Tuan helped his wife pay off the debt three times. But the prolonged arguments and silences caused the two to gradually move away from each other.
There were even nights when my wife still cooked enough and took good care of my husband and children, but we almost didnt talk, he recalled.
During the separation period, Mr. Tuan developed feelings for a female partner and had an act of pushing limits. When his wife discovered it, he was not noisy or demanded. She filed for divorce.
I apologize, I beg, but she was very calm. So calm that I was scared, he said.
On the day he signed the petition, he still believed that his wife would return with the simple thought of thinking that she was his wife, and would not leave after all.
After the divorce, that woman changed significantly. She bought land, built a house, stabilized her teaching job and business. friends commented that she is more beautiful, confident and lives more radiantly. To her children, she shows all her love. With her ex-husband, she maintains a clear, civilized, and moderate boundary.
The four-week-old man confided that it was civilization that made him even more in pain.
Currently, he is living with another woman but admits that he has no love. Meanwhile, his ex-wife is said to be looking for a new relationship.
I miss my ex-wife every day. Remember and regret. But I don't know if I miss her or the feeling of having a woman who loves me unconditionally," he wondered.
He has tried to return many times, but all stopped before the limits set by his ex-wife.
