Attending my ex-husband's wedding three times.

Hopefully, this third time will be the last.

I have a close friend who is 10 years younger than me. Back then, because I didn't really like Na's mother, I didn't pay much attention to her when she was first born.

However, it seems that every relationship in the world is related to fate, so even though Na and I didn't have a smooth start, we've become closer and closer over time.

When Na was 6 years old, her parents divorced. I told Na's father that whatever happens, children at this age are easily susceptible to psychological trauma, but sometimes adult matters, whether we like them or not, just have to happen.

Since her parents' divorce, Na has lost her closeness to her father and often comes to my house to play. For a long time, she hardly ever came home, staying at my place all the time. Her father understood his daughter's unstable mental state and repeatedly asked me to look after her. So, from someone who had no children of her own, I became her reluctant foster mother.

Na was in 8th grade, I think, around that time, entering her rebellious phase. I believe the biggest reason for her psychological distress and disruptive behavior was that her father remarried around that time. Although he didn't say it out loud, I was sensitive enough to know that she was uncomfortable with the strange woman in their house and that her father had suggested she call her "mother."

Na calls her father's new wife "Mom." For her, calling anyone "Mom" doesn't matter because the concept of "Mom" is incredibly vague in her mind. It wasn't just after her parents separated that Na's mother showed much concern for her daughter; even before that, she hadn't cared much about her. She wanted to have a son to please her wealthy in-laws, but failed. Later, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't get pregnant again, and somehow, all the blame fell on Na.

Eventually, the girl's father discovered her mother's infidelity, so they went their separate ways. According to Na's father, this affair stemmed from the girl's mother's desperate attempt to "get" a son.

Since then, Na hasn't seen her mother again. I only heard rumors that she went abroad to work, and some people even say she went south with her lover to do business. Where she went doesn't matter; what matters is that she completely abandoned the daughter she gave birth to.

Na's father's new wife gave birth to another daughter, and when Na was in 12th grade, they divorced again. This time, the reason was that Na's grandmother constantly harassed her daughter-in-law for not giving birth to a son. I understand this; I know exactly how cruel Na's grandmother can be.

This time was different from the last time because Na's father's new wife insisted on taking the child with her, refusing to leave her daughter with her paternal grandparents. After a few meetings and hearing Na's stories, I realized that she was a very loving mother.

Once, when I went to her house for dinner, after a few drinks, her father told me that this was probably his last marriage because he was so tired. This time, he would stay single and raise Na until she got married.

Exactly one year later, I heard little Na say that her dad was about to marry someone else. It's true that you can't trust a man's word.

I was there at the wedding, and seeing the lavish wedding hall made me laugh. Na's father has one thing for sure: he never lets his woman be at a disadvantage. Every time he gets married, he has to throw a big, extravagant wedding.

That day, little Na was running around entertaining guests for her father. Her father had extensive connections and a certain social standing, and her paternal family was wealthy, so the number of guests was always as large as the first time. For some reason, I instinctively asked her if she was upset, and if her stepmother, who was only three years older, was making her feel bad. Surprisingly, she smiled brightly and replied:

"No! My father can marry whoever he wants; it's not like it's his first time."

I watched the man who had been my husband for a brief few months happily holding the hand of his new bride as they cut the cake. This was the third time I'd attended my ex-husband's wedding. We divorced amicably, the reason being that I couldn't stand my mother-in-law and I couldn't get pregnant. At that young and impulsive age, I couldn't bear the terrible harshness from my wealthy husband's family, who were not of equal social standing.

When I saw my ex-husband walking past the table to offer drinks, I half-jokingly said that I didn't mind spending money on wedding gifts three times in a row, but hoped this would be the last time because Na is grown up now, and even though she's a sensible child, she'll still be hurt. It's easy for us adults to find a new family, but it's not that simple for a child...

Source: https://giadinh.suckhoedoisong.vn/ba-lan-di-du-dam-cuoi-chong-cu-172241030213245209.htm