Every time I look back, all I can do is sigh and tell myself, if only I had been a little more sober-minded…

My ex-wife and I were introduced through relatives. At that time, her family was considered the wealthiest in the village, while mine was poor, with both my parents being farmers. Her parents had only one child—her—and wanted to find a man to live with them (to be a matrilocal husband). Seeing that I was gentle and hardworking, they agreed to let me marry their daughter without requiring a bridal gift, and they even gave my family 100 million (VND). Honestly, I was indebted to my ex-wife and her family from the first day I stepped into that house.

After we got married, my wife not only took good care of me but also pooled all her savings and 300 million (VND) from her dowry for me to start a business. I still clearly remember the days I was running around trying to find customers, while she was always by my side, waiting for me to return late to warm up the rice, and waking up early to make breakfast. She was not just a wife; she was the most solid pillar of support in my life.

However, as my career advanced, our feelings for each other declined. I started getting annoyed by the very things I had once been grateful for. Seeing her entertaining customers, smiling and talking, made me jealous and self-conscious. Seeing her step up to handle things made me angry, thinking she wanted to control me. Every time we argued, she would mention using her money to help me start my business, and my pent-up ego would make me leave the house and drink continuously.

Gradually, she became suspicious, checking my phone and tracking me. The house was constantly noisy, neighbors gossiped, and my parents blamed me. Back then, instead of sitting down to talk and reflecting on myself, I only felt resentment towards my wife.

I was indebted to my ex-wife and her family from the first day I stepped into that house. (Illustration Photo)

During the most stressful period of our marriage, I met a girl online, 17 years younger than me. She was gentle and knew how to say the sweet words that I was lacking. She told me I deserved to be cherished and that my wife was too sharp-tongued. I became infatuated with that gentleness, like a man starved of affection easily falling into a trap. After meeting her, seeing how young and beautiful she was, I completely forgot the reality of what I had.

I started leaving early and coming home late. When I did come home, I would pick fights and pressure my wife for a divorce. I said hurtful things:

• “I don’t love you anymore.”

That one sentence was enough to collapse everything. My wife fell silent and then agreed to the divorce. She took our child and half the assets. It hurt, but because I was eager to marry the younger woman, I signed the papers.

I married the other girl joyfully, organizing a ceremony even more lavish than the one with my ex-wife. I thought I had found new happiness. It wasn’t until my ex-wife called and said, “Transfer all the assets into my name; you are being tricked,” that I was startled.

I didn’t believe it until she provided proof. It turned out that my beautiful young wife had been seeing another man for a long time, and she only married me to target my money.

I pressured my wife into a divorce to marry my young mistress, who was 17 years younger. (Illustration Photo)

I was stunned. The career I had built for so many years, which I thought would change my life again, was nearly lost. To protect the assets and for the sake of my child, I transferred all the money to my ex-wife’s account, hoping she would safeguard it. It was then that I finally understood that the only person who truly cared for me was the one I had betrayed.

But life is not as simple as I thought. Now, when I want a divorce to get rid of my young wife, she demands a share of the assets. When I said I had nothing left, she insisted I transfer the house and land into her name before she would sign. As for my ex-wife, the one I now want to return to, she coldly said:

• “I will never forgive you.”

My 70-year-old father was so angry he beat his chest, blaming his unfilial son. My mother suffered a stroke due to grief and is now bedridden. And I, having lost my family, my child, and almost my entire career, am now left with only endless regret.

I am writing these lines not to justify myself but to confess my guilt. I was too foolish, too greedy for temporary affection, and lost the woman who built everything with me. Now, I only wish for a chance to make amends. Whether my ex-wife forgives me or not, I still want to fulfill my responsibility as a father, a man who made a terrible mistake.

If time could turn back, I would never let go of the woman who sacrificed everything for me. But sadly, in this life, there are no two words like “if only”…