The first night I arrived in Beijing, I didn’t unpack immediately.

I just sat by the window of my new apartment and looked at the unfamiliar city lights.

Three years ago, I entered the Lu family home as a bride.

Today, I entered Beijing alone as Judge To Ninh.

The difference was simple.

Back then, I was someone else’s wife.

Now, I was only myself.

My phone vibrated several times.

Messages from Luc Tham Nghien.

【Have you arrived?】

【Why didn’t you tell me after getting off the plane?】

【The driver said you didn’t let him take you.】

I looked at the screen quietly.

It was strange.

For three years, he rarely cared where I was.

If I worked late, he never asked.

If I was sick, he only told me to take medicine.

If I had important cases, he only said:

“Don’t let work affect your family.”

But now, when I had truly left…

he suddenly remembered that I existed.

I put the phone aside.

No reply.

The next morning, I officially reported to Court No.4.

Chief Liu personally welcomed me.

Everyone knew I had been transferred from Jiang Cheng.

Everyone knew I had won several important cases.

But nobody knew that behind my calm expression was a marriage that had already died long ago.

During lunch, a young colleague asked curiously:

—Judge To, why did you choose to come to Beijing? Isn’t Jiang Cheng closer to home?

I smiled.

—Sometimes leaving is the best choice.

She didn’t understand.

Maybe she thought I was talking about my career.

But only I knew.

I was talking about Luc Tham Nghien.

About a marriage where I had always been the only person trying to make it work.

That evening, I received a call from my mother.

Her voice sounded worried.

—Ninh Ninh, your husband called your father.

I was silent.

—What did he say?

My mother hesitated.

—He asked why nobody told him you were transferred.

I laughed softly.

—Didn’t he say he was relieved that I left?

The other side became quiet.

Because my mother knew.

She had heard those words too.

She had seen me spend three years pretending everything was fine.

After hanging up, I opened my suitcase.

Inside was the wedding photo I had taken from Jiang Cheng.

I looked at the two people in the picture.

The woman in the white dress had hopeful eyes.

The man beside her looked distant.

At that time, I thought love could grow slowly.

I thought if I was patient enough, if I was gentle enough, if I gave him enough time…

one day he would see me.

But I was wrong.

Some people’s hearts were never empty.

They were already occupied by someone else.

Three days later, Luc Tham Nghien appeared at the Beijing court.

The moment I saw him standing outside my office, I was surprised.

Not because I missed him.

But because I never thought he would come.

He was still wearing his usual black suit.

Still calm.

Still elegant.

But his eyes were different.

There was confusion.

And something close to panic.

—Ninh Ninh.

He called my name.

I stopped.

—Why are you here?

He looked at me for several seconds.

Then said:

—To bring you home.

I almost smiled.

Home.

That word sounded unfamiliar.

—My home is here now.

His expression changed.

—You are my wife.

I looked at him.

—Am I?

Those three words made him freeze.

Because for three years, he had never questioned our marriage.

He thought the certificate was enough.

He thought a wife would always stay.

No matter how lonely she was.

No matter how many times she was ignored.

—Ninh Ninh, I know you are angry.

I shook my head.

—I’m not angry anymore.

That answer made him more uncomfortable.

Because anger meant I still cared.

But calm meant I had already let go.

He lowered his voice.

—About what happened that night…

I interrupted him.

—You don’t need to explain.

—You already explained everything.

He frowned.

—When?

I looked directly at him.

—When you told your friends you were relieved.

His face immediately turned pale.

For the first time, Luc Tham Nghien looked embarrassed.

—You heard?

I smiled.

—Yes.

—Every word.

The silence between us lasted a long time.

Then he finally said:

—It wasn’t what you thought.

I looked away.

—It was exactly what I thought.

Before he could respond, another voice came from behind him.

A familiar voice.

A voice I had heard many times in Jiang Cheng.

—Tham Nghien.

Khuong Mo Tuyet walked toward us.

She was wearing an expensive coat and holding a coffee cup.

She stopped when she saw me.

Then smiled gently.

—Sister Ninh Ninh.

That familiar smile.

The same smile everyone loved.

The same smile that made everyone believe she was innocent.

Luc Tham Nghien immediately stepped between us.

A protective movement.

A habit.

I noticed it.

And strangely…

I no longer felt hurt.

Because some habits could not be changed.

I picked up my documents.

—You two came together?

Neither answered.

That silence was enough.

I nodded.

—Then I understand.

Luc Tham Nghien suddenly grabbed my wrist.

—Ninh Ninh, listen to me.

I looked down at his hand.

Then at him.

Slowly, he released me.

Because he finally remembered.

I was no longer the woman who would wait.

Before leaving, I said one last sentence:

—Luc Tham Nghien.

—The woman you were relieved to lose…

—You will soon realize she was the only person who truly stood beside you.

Then I walked away.

Behind me, I heard Mo Tuyet’s voice become anxious.

—Tham Nghien, are you okay?

But this time…

he didn’t answer her immediately.

Because for the first time in three years…

Luc Tham Nghien was watching my back disappear.

And realizing he might have lost the one person who would never come back.