Chapter 9 — After Divorce, We Learn to Love Again

"You want me to do a DNA test?"

"You have the right to file a claim."

"But according to the law here..."

"That requires my consent."

"Khuong Niem."

"Are you crazy?"

I smiled slightly.

"I'm just using the same way you used to talk to me."

"What do you mean?"

"It's the rule."

"It's the order."

"It's the terms."

"Don't you always like talking about rules the most?"

"Didn't you always say that everything must be done in the right order?"

"Now..."

"I'll talk to you using the rules."

Co Tram Chu took another step forward. I never backed down.

"I want to see the children."

"Impossible."

"Khuong Niem!"

"You can't scare me anymore."

"Yes before."

"But now..."

He stopped. There is still a distance of three steps between us. But actually... It was three years of insurmountable coldness.

"An An and Lac Lac are living very well."

I said calmly.

"They have a mother."

"There's Aunt Chu."

"There is Thanh Hoa."

"Not missing anything."

"They lack a father."

I looked straight into his eyes.

"From the beginning..."

"They never had a father."

That sentence was like a knife stabbing straight into his heart. For the first time... Co Tram Chu's face really changed. Not out of anger. An emotion I had never seen on his face. It's like... Someone just fired a shot right in front of his chest. The bullet got stuck in the heart. Cannot be taken out.

"Khuong Niem..."

His voice was hoarse.

"I hate you."

That's not a question. I quietly looked at him.

"I don't hate you."

"It's because I still care."

I turned around.

"Thanh Hoa."

"Sending guests off."

"Khuong Niem!"

Behind him, his voice was heard calling. I never stopped walking.

"Give me a chance..."

I closed the room door. Lean your back against the door. Through thick layers of wood. I heard him standing for a long time in the living room. The sound of the door opening. Rattle. I'm gone. I gently closed my eyes. No more pain. Co Tram Chu never left here. He sat in the coffee shop downstairs from my apartment building all day. From ten o'clock in the morning. Until nine o'clock at night. During that time... I only drank two glasses of Americano. I see it all. Through the window. The next day. You come again. This time I also brought a lot of things with me. A large bag of baby supplies. Two boxes of imported milk. And an expensive teddy bear to sleep with. Thanh Hoa absolutely refused to accept.

"Don't accept."

I shook my head.

"Just accept it."

"Because if you don't accept..."

"He will stand forever outside the door."

"I don't want the neighbors to think I'm being harassed."

Things are brought in. People are still not allowed to walk through the door. On to the third day. Co Tram Chu changed his ways. He doesn't come directly to me anymore. But let the lawyer send my lawyer an official letter. The content is very clear. Mr. Co Tram Chu requested confirmation of paternity and suggested conducting a DNA test. My lawyer is one of the best marriage and family lawyers in Tinh city. More than fifty years old. She has participated in hundreds of divorce cases.

"His side's request has legal basis."

Lawyer Tran said calmly.

"If he sues in court..."

"The possibility of the court accepting the request for DNA examination is very high."

"That means..."

"Is there still a possibility of not being accepted?"

"It depends on the judge."

"However..."

"With Co.'s financial capacity and social status Tram Chu..."

"He can absolutely hire the best team of lawyers."

"If the matter prolongs..."

"It may not be beneficial for you."

I was silent for a few seconds.

"What is your opinion?"

Lawyer Tran gently pushed his glasses.

"First of all..."

"I want you to answer me honestly."

"Finally..."

"What do you really want?"

I thought for a long time. Finally, he answered slowly.

"I just want a clean divorce."

"Custody of the two children belongs to me."

"He can come visit you."

"You are not allowed to interfere in the lives of my parents and children."

"What about assets?"

"I didn't take any money from him."

"Are you sure? With Co Tram Chu's assets, you can absolutely receive a huge compensation..."

"No need."

Lawyer Tran nodded.

"So I have a plan."

"Please speak."

"Agree to do a DNA test."

I stopped.

"Calm down, listen to me."

"Your side agrees to assess paternity, but there must be conditions attached."

"After the DNA results are confirmed, both parties will simultaneously sign a child custody agreement."

"The two children will live with their mother."

"The father has the right to regular visitation."

"No more than twice a month."

"No more than two days at a time."

"Does not include any property requirements."

"If he accepts..."

"You've won more than half already."

I looked at her in confusion.

"Why did he agree?"

Lawyer Tran smiled.

"Because his goal is not to win the child."

"What he really wants..."

"It's to bring you back."

I was stunned.

"If he only needed custody of the children, he would have directly sued long ago."

"With his economic conditions, status and resources, he doesn't have a chance to win."

"But he didn't."

"He came to you first."

"Standing downstairs in your house."

"Bring baby stuff."

"Those things prove..."

"What he wants is more than just two children."

"What do you mean..."

"Let's take advantage of this point."

"The more he wants to take her home, the less he dares to pressure her too much in matters of children."

"Because once we really take each other to court, all face will be torn away..."

"You will never come back again."

"He understands that very well."