Chapter 9 — 6 Days to Clean Up Your Estate Then Divorce

A few minutes later, Niem Niem ran out of the classroom wearing a pretty little briefcase. As soon as she saw me, she rushed to hug me tightly, her voice shouting with joy. She did not see the noise out there, did not know that a wave had just hit her life. I held my child's hand and pulled him behind me as a protective instinct. When he walked out of the school gate, he still stood there, motionless like a crucified statue in shame. His eyes were fixed on me, then slid down to the girl behind me, no longer pleading but coldly resentful. I don't look back. I opened the car door, let my child sit inside, carefully fastened the seat belt, then sat in the driver's seat and started the car. The car sped away, leaving everything behind. In the rearview mirror, his figure became smaller and smaller, like ten years of our marriage, melting away without a trace. When I got home, I poured my child a glass of hot milk. The milk steam rose gently but could not dispel the feeling of emptiness that had just subsided. She hugged the cup, her voice was low, as if she was careful with each word.

“Mom, today I heard my friend say… dad had an argument at the school gate.”

My heart felt like it was being pricked by a needle, a small but deep stab. In the end, it still affects the child. I sat down at my child's eye level, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Nien Niem, I'm sorry, I didn't handle it well. There are some things between our parents, but those are adult matters, and have nothing to do with you."

“No matter what happens, just remember, Mom and Dad love you, we just don't live together anymore.”

I don't know how much he understands, I just try to keep in his heart an image that is gentle enough to not hurt him. Niem Niem nodded, then suddenly asked a question that made my heart choke.

“Mom, will you leave me?”

The child's eyes were full of fear. I hugged my child tightly, as if hugging my whole world.

“No, I will never, I will always be with you, I will protect you, no one will hurt you.”

After comforting the baby, I walked into the office, closed the door, leaving all the weak software out there. I am back to being Hua Tinh of the battlefield. I called Ly Tuyet, my voice was so calm that I even surprised myself.

“He went to school.”

The other end of the line was silent for a few seconds then responded, the voice was still cold and familiar.

“I guessed it, that's the stupidest way but also the easiest way to make you waver, and at the same time giving yourself evidence.”

“I couldn't record anything, at that time I just wanted to take my child away.”

"It's okay, school cameras, security guards and teachers are all witnesses, enough to prove that he harassed and influenced the child."

“This will be very beneficial for your custody rights.”

I was silent for a second, then said my decision was ripe.

“I will apply for a protective order.”

“Forbid him from approaching me and my children, from coming near the house and school.”

“Right on track, I will prepare the documents immediately and submit them to court tomorrow.”

I looked out the window, the city lights blurred into the night.

“I will also transfer Niem Niem to a place where he cannot be found, safer.”

“And I will sell this apartment.”

“We leave.”

The other party was silent for a moment then spoke slowly.

“Completely cutting off is the best choice. I will help you find a new place.”

I nodded, even though I knew she couldn't see. After hanging up, I stood silently in the room. No more fear. Are not still angry. There's only one thing left. Only action, faster, stronger, more decisive, can build a wall strong enough to protect my daughter and me from everything that is trying to pull us down. I turned on the computer and started searching for information about international schools in each city. Each unfamiliar name flashed before my eyes so quickly that I didn't have time to leave a trace. Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen... My eyes ran along those lines, as if choosing a new starting point for my life and my daughter's. My future, Niem Niem's future, will start again in a completely strange place. As for Chu Van Bac, with his so-called "old age insurance", I will throw him behind, becoming a dirty part of the past that needs to be erased. At that moment, my phone rang again. I picked up the phone, and on the other end of the line came an old and weak voice. Mother-in-law.

“Tieu Tinh…”

Her voice trembled, carrying sobs.

“Go home… Van Bac… something happened…”