Chapter 10 — After Divorce, We Learn to Love Again

I quietly looked at the middle-aged woman in front of me.

"Lawyer Tran."

"Have you handled many cases like this?"

She smiled softly.

"Divorces of the rich..."

"In the end, it's all about initiative."

"Whoever posts first..."

"That person will fall into a passive position."

"And now..."

"You are the one taking the initiative."

"Because..."

"The one who left first was you."

"The one who's chasing..."

"It's him."

"But you chase..."

"It's always the weaker person."

I shook my head slightly.

"But he won't pursue forever."

"So..."

"You have to take advantage before he loses patience."

"Completely signed all legal documents."

"How long will it take?"

"Two weeks."

"Give me two weeks."

I nodded. When I walked out of the lawyer's office... The sunlight outside was strangely bright. March in Tinh City has begun to be hot. The wind carries the salty taste of the sea and the gentle scent of frangipani flowers. I stood on the side of the road. Take a deep breath. Right at that moment. The phone in my pocket vibrated. It's a message from Co Tram Chu. Just four words.

"Who do you look like?"

I stared at the screen for a long time. Almost half a minute. Finally... I answered in eight words.

"Girls are like you. Boys are like me."

The response message came very quickly.

"I want to see pictures."

I hesitated for exactly one second. Then open the photo album. Select the photo taken of An An and Lac Lac two days ago. The two of them lay side by side on the play mat. An An is holding her little foot and chewing it deliciously. And Lac Lac grinned at the camera. I sent it. On the other end... No response for a long time. Exactly forty minutes later. The new screen lights up. Only two words. Co Tram Chu... Say thank you. Five years of knowing each other. That was the first time... He said those two words to me. The next morning. After discussing the warehouse lease contract with the Port Authority, I returned to the apartment. Just arriving under the building... I saw someone who shouldn't have appeared. Trieu Ngoc Lan. Co Tram Chu's mother. She wore a simple dark suit and sunglasses, standing right in front of the apartment gate. Behind them are two middle-aged women dressed in black. Looks just like a nanny. Just like a bodyguard. I stopped walking.

"Khuong Niem."

Trieu Ngoc Lan took off her glasses. His expression was calm, as if he had just come to drink tea.

"Hello, Uncle Trieu."

"She married into the Co family for three years."

"Should have called me mom."

I calmly replied.

"I'm no longer part of the Co family."

Trieu Ngoc Lan laughed faintly.

"The divorce process has not been completed yet."

"Are you so quick to brush off the relationship?"

"What are you doing here?"

"I came to visit my nephew and niece."

"The kids are named Khuong."

The smile on Trieu Ngoc Lan's lips immediately disappeared.

"Khuong Niem."

"Don't ask an elephant for a fairy."

"I know you registered your company here."

"I want to raise my child myself."

"I don't object."

"Two children of the Co family's bloodline."

"They must return to the Co family."

"Cannot."

Trieu Ngoc Lan took a step forward.

"Do you think I can't do anything by hiding here?"

"I'll tell you."

"The Co family's relationships are not only in City A."

"Mayor Tran of Tinh City is a long-time acquaintance of the Co family."

"You want to do business here..."

"From the business registration agency..."

"Tax authority..."

"To the Port Authority..."

"Where is there no way to pass people?"

“Just let me call one phone call..."

"Uncle Trieu."

I interrupted her.

"Those threats..."

"I was tired of hearing it three years ago."

Trieu Ngoc Lan was stunned.

"What did you say?"

"Three years ago."

"She said if I couldn't have children..."

"I will let Co Tram Chu marry more people."

"Two years ago."

"She said if I can't manage the housework..."

"I'll let your niece come instead."

"A year ago."

"You said if I continue to distract Co Tram Chu..."

"I'll tell him to leave me."

"I see I can leave now..."

"It's also considered to save her some trouble."

Trieu Ngoc Lan's face immediately changed.

"Two children..."

"I won't give it to you."

"That's the only answer."

"Khuong Niem!"

"What do you think you are?"

"A merchant's daughter was married into the Co family..."

"It's a blessing that only lasts for a lifetime."

"Now it's stiff..."

"Want to fly away?"

I looked straight at her.

"My wings weren't strong enough before."

"When you plucked every feather on my body..."

"I just grit my teeth and endure."

"And now..."

"The wing feathers have grown back."

"Of course..."

"I have to fly."

Trieu Ngoc Lan's lips trembled slightly. She didn't expect... I would dare to talk to her like that. When I was still at the Co family's house. Whatever you say... I listen. But it was never about respect. I'm afraid she'll tell Co Tram Chu. I'm afraid she'll make me lose face in front of the whole family. And most of all... You will harm my child. That's the real reason why I hid it from everyone to give birth to An An and Lac Lac. Not only because of Co Tram Chu's coldness. It's Trieu Ngoc Lan. When I was three months pregnant, my body began to show unusual signs. At first, I thought it was just a normal pregnancy reaction. Until one day... Thanh Hoa discovered that the hourly maid arranged by Trieu Ngoc Lan had secretly put musk in my bowl of soup. Anything that a pregnant woman can smell can be dangerous. But... She blatantly put it in the soup I drink every day. Thanh Hoa was angry at that time and immediately wanted to find Co Tram Chu. I kept her.

"What do you have as proof?"

"The maid will say she just accidentally added the wrong seasoning."

"Trieu Ngoc Lan will say she didn't know."

"And Co Tram Chu..."

"Who will he believe?"