Be honest – would you be friends with your partner’s ex? There’s probably no right or wrong answer – it all depends on each person’s mindset and the context of each case.
But in general, it’s safe to say that you’d need a pretty big heart to tolerate your spouse’s former partner in your life.
This is exactly what makes the actions of a humble Vietnamese man even more touching. When a traffic accident left his wife’s ex-husband paralyzed, he took the other man under his wing.
Here’s how his love for his wife extended to a stranger in an incredible story that played out in Sóc Trăng province.
Image credit: VNExpress
As VNExpress reported, Mr. Nguyễn Văn Kiên came from a poor family in the southern province of Kiên Giang. In adulthood, he left his hometown and traveled to the nearby Sóc Trăng province to seek work.
It was there that he met Mdm. Nguyễn Thị Bích Tiền – a single mom 3 years his senior, who had divorced her ex-husband. Mr. Kiên felt drawn to Mdm. Tiền’s kindness, but she rebuffed his advances at first. She thought that he could find a better woman than her.
Eventually, however, she was touched by his genuineness. The two tied the knot in a modest ceremony, as neither was well-off.
But just as their love story seemingly reached a satisfying end, a major event happened. One that would change their married life forever.
Mr. Kiên (center) and his wife caring for her ex-husband
Image credit: VNExpress
Only 5 days after their wedding, Mdm. Tiền received a call from the local hospital, saying her ex-husband was caught in a serious traffic accident. As the man did not have any living relatives, the hospital had no choice but to call her in to carry out the paperwork needed to perform his surgery.
The surgery saved the ex-husband’s life, but he was left completely paralyzed. Seeing that the man had no one to take care of him, Mr. Kiên felt compelled to shoulder the task himself.
Over the past 8 years, the humble man has been working odd jobs to provide for his extended family.
Mr. Kiên’s story has given us a new perspective about love.
Not the overly romanticized portrayals in Hollywood movies, but true love in real life.
We tip our hats to Mr. Kiên for his big heart, and wish him all the best.
For more stories, check out:
Cover image adapted from VNExpress
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