“She’s also my half-sister. I can’t ignore her.”

Tran Tinh Huc held my hand tightly.

His strength was familiar.

For five years, that hand had held mine when we crossed streets, when we traveled, when we promised each other a future.

But today…

The same hand was protecting another woman from me.

I looked down at his fingers around my wrist.

Then I slowly pulled away.

“Half-sister?”

My voice was surprisingly calm.

“Since when?”

Tran Tinh Huc froze.

Hua Tri Tri lowered her eyes.

A guilty expression appeared on her face.

I laughed softly.

“So you married me, but never told me you had another woman you called family?”

“Van Dao…”

“Don’t call my name like that.”

I looked at him.

“Five years.”

“You spent five years making me believe I was your wife.”

“And at the same time, you created another life with her.”

His face became tense.

“It’s not like that.”

“Then what is it?”

I pointed toward the wedding photo on the wall.

“Our wedding.”

“Was it real?”

“Or was it just another ceremony you needed to complete before returning to her?”

Tran Tinh Huc’s expression changed.

For the first time, he looked uncomfortable.

Hua Tri Tri stepped forward.

“Sister…”

I looked at her.

She immediately stopped.

“Don’t call me that.”

Her eyes reddened.

“I never wanted to hurt you.”

I smiled.

“But you still came.”

“You stood in front of my house.”

“You saw my wedding photos.”

“You knew I was his wife.”

“And you still told me you would stay with him.”

She bit her lip.

“I love him.”

Simple.

A sentence that many people used to justify destroying someone else’s life.

I nodded.

“Good.”

“Then love him.”

Both of them were stunned.

Tran Tinh Huc frowned.

“Van Dao, what do you mean?”

I looked at him.

“Since you think she understands you better.”

“Since you think I don’t love you enough.”

“Then I am giving you what you want.”

His face changed instantly.

“No.”

The answer came too quickly.

Almost instinctively.

I almost laughed.

“No?”

“Why?”

“Didn’t you just say she was only your sister?”

“Didn’t you say I was overthinking?”

“Didn’t you say I shouldn’t cause trouble?”

Tran Tinh Huc opened his mouth.

But he couldn’t explain.

Because every excuse he had prepared suddenly became meaningless.

My phone rang.

I answered.

“Hello.”

The lawyer’s voice came through.

“Mrs. Tran, the documents you requested are ready.”

“I have also completed the investigation of the assets transferred during your marriage.”

“Some funds were moved to another account under the name Hua Tri Tri.”

The room became silent.

Tran Tinh Huc’s expression changed.

“What did you say?”

I looked at him.

“You heard it.”

His face turned pale.

“Van Dao, don’t misunderstand.”

“Those were only temporary expenses.”

“She had difficulties.”

I nodded.

“Of course.”

“Everyone has difficulties.”

“Only my marriage didn’t seem important enough to protect.”

He stepped forward.

“Give me time to explain.”

I looked at him.

“Five years wasn’t enough?”

That sentence made him stop.

Five years.

Five years of waiting.

Five years of believing every business trip.

Five years of thinking that my husband was tired because he worked hard.

While he was building another relationship.

I took out the wedding ring.

The ring he put on my finger five years ago.

Tran Tinh Huc’s eyes widened.

“Van Dao…”

I placed it on the table.

“Tomorrow, come to the civil affairs office.”

His face immediately lost color.

“For what?”

I looked at him calmly.

“To complete the procedure.”

“No.”

His answer was almost a whisper.

“You are angry now.”

“You don’t really want this.”

I smiled.

“Tran Tinh Huc.”

“The woman who wanted to save this marriage died the moment she saw you marrying someone else.”

He froze.

Hua Tri Tri looked at him nervously.

Because she finally realized something.

The wife standing in front of them…

was no longer the woman who silently endured everything.

I picked up my bag.

Before leaving, I stopped.

“By the way.”

I looked at Hua Tri Tri.

“Congratulations on your wedding.”

She looked surprised.

I smiled.

“I hope this time…”

“You can truly become the woman he chooses.”

Then I walked away.

Behind me, Tran Tinh Huc shouted my name.

But I didn’t turn around.

Because for the first time in five years…

I understood.

A man who needs another woman to realize his wife’s value…

was never worth waiting for.