During those years, my classmate Van showed me a kindness I didn’t fully understand at the time. She brought me meals, picked up extra supplies for my courses, and even helped cover school expenses when I struggled. Her care came from a genuine place, but I didn’t return the same depth of feeling. Still, because of everything her family did for me, I convinced myself that agreeing to be with her was the responsible thing.
When graduation came and I hoped to stay in the city, her parents helped me find a job. Out of gratitude and an eagerness to build a stable future, I agreed to marry her. But as life settled in, the truth became harder for me to ignore. I cared about Van, but I didn’t love her the way a husband should. Our home was polite and quiet, but not warm. Over time, my distance and coldness grew, and the space between us widened.
