Chapter 1 — My Oldest Son's Secret Made My Ex-Husband Pale Right in Court

As soon as the judge asked the nine-year-old twins if they wanted to follow their father or mother, my older son suddenly stood up. One sentence from the boy made a man like my husband, who was always calm, immediately pale in the middle of the courtroom. The one who actively asked for a divorce was him. Accept to leave with empty hands. House, car, savings... I don't compete for anything. The only thing I want is to raise my two children. But right in court, Co Bac Van calmly defamed me in front of the judge. He said I lost control of my emotions. Say I'm mentally unstable. Say I'm not qualified to be a mother. I was so angry that my whole body was shaking. I wanted to open my mouth to explain... But I found myself not knowing where to start. Finally, the judge looked towards the two children.

"Co An, Co Ninh."

"Do you want to live with dad or mom?"

My heart felt like someone was choking me. At that moment, An An suddenly stood up. The boy coldly looked straight at his father.

"Dear judge..."

"I have a secret to tell."

"A secret that... even your mother never knew."

At that moment... Co Bac Van's face immediately turned pale. The lights in the courtroom were so bright it was blinding. And I stood in the middle of that place, looking like a failure. The man opposite is Co Bac Van. My husband used to cuddle with me for ten years. The handmade suit is still as neat as ever. Still looks polite and calm. Only the eyes from the past have long disappeared. Instead, there is only coldness and calculation. The female lawyer standing next to him slowly pushed up her glasses.

"Mr. Co Bac Van has outstanding social status, economic conditions and nurturing ability."

"He can absolutely provide two children with the best growing environment."

Saying this, she glanced at me with contempt. The shirt on my body was discolored from too much washing. So cheap that it stands out in the courtroom.

"And Mrs. Tu Tri Ha..."

"Many years without a stable job."

"Almost completely separated from society."

"According to the investigation results, she is mentally unstable and shows signs of depression."

"If you give two children to such a mother, it is irresponsible behavior."

Every sentence was like a knife cutting straight into my heart. Fingertips are cold. The whole body trembled uncontrollably. Ten years ago... I quit my job. Abandon friends. Give up your own life. Every day, I only know how to take care of my husband, my children, and take care of all the big and small things in the house. Yet today... It all became proof that I'm not worthy of being a mother. Co Bac Van wanted to divorce. For a long time, he has been publicly dating a woman named Bach Mong. I signed the application. Don't ask for a house. Don't ask for money. Also no need for any assets. I just want to take the twins and leave. You two are my everything. But Co Bac Van did not agree. He didn't just want me to leave empty-handed. He also wanted to take my two children away from me. The judge looked over at him.

"Is what the plaintiff just stated correct?"

Co Bac Van immediately stood up. He bowed very low. The voice was pained to perfection.

"Judge..."

"I'm so sorry that everyone had to witness this family matter."

"Tri Ha really sacrificed a lot."

His voice choked. The eyes also turned red.

"But she is Always put pressure on your children."

"If you don't do well in the exam, you will be punished by fasting."

"If you're in a bad mood, lock yourself in your room for days."

"At midnight, the two children often have to make their own noodles because they are too hungry."

"I really don't feel comfortable giving her my child."

I immediately stood up.

"You lie!"

"I've never done any of that!"

Because I was so excited, my voice was almost lost.

"Keep order!"

The judge's gavel pounded hard on the table. His eyes looked at me even more disappointed. A woman lost control. That is the image Co Bac Van wanted to create. I clenched my hands. Nails dug deep into the palms of his hands until they were painful. Don't panic. If I just lose my temper... I will lose. I tried to force myself to breathe. But the tears still kept falling. Being slandered without being able to prove it myself... That feeling almost made me suffocate. Finally, the judge looked at the two children. An An and Ninh Ninh wore two identical suits. Obediently sitting next to each other like two copies. It was the late Uncle Van who insisted on bringing them there. He wants you two to make your own choices. How cruel.

"Do you want to follow dad or mom?"

I held my breath looking at the two children. Ninh Ninh bowed her head. Both hands tightly grasped the hem of his brother's shirt. As for An An... Strangely calm again. The boy didn't look at me. Didn't even look at dad. Just quietly look forward. My heart sank little by little. Since childhood, An An has been more mature than me. Could it be... Even the boy was persuaded by his father's material conditions? Stay with me... My two children only have a hard life in a small rented house. With Co Uncle Van... They will have villas, aristocratic schools and all the best things. The corner of Co Bac Van's lips curled up slightly. At that moment... An An suddenly stood up. The body is small but stands very straight. The boy coldly glanced at his father and then turned to the judge.

"Dear judge..."

"I want to tell you a secret."

"A secret that... even your mother never knew."

The entire courtroom was immediately silent. The smile on Co Bac Van's face also froze. I could only look at my son in bewilderment. Why don't even I know? But the thing that sent chills down my spine the most was... In just a blink of an eye, Co Bac Van's face was pale and bloodless. The judge was also stunned. He observed Co An, this nine-year-old child did not have the immaturity of his peers in his eyes. There was just a calmness that went beyond the ordinary. The judge nodded: "Let's go to your room to talk." He glanced at Co Bac Van.

“Brother Co, I'm coming too.”

Then he turned to me again.

“Miss Tu, you and your little son will wait here temporarily.”

I nodded, feeling uneasy. The judicial police took Co Bac Van and Co An away. Ninh Ninh's little son jumped into my arms and asked in a low voice.

“Mom, what are you going to say?”

I patted his head and shook my head. I don't know. I really don't know what secret my son is hiding that even I don't know. But I know, this secret is definitely related to Co Bac Van. Otherwise, he would not immediately show such extreme panic. Time passes every second and every minute. Every second feels like a century. My palms were covered in cold sweat. Finally, the door opened. The judge stepped out, his face serious. Following him was Co An. An An goes come to me, hold my hand. His hand is very cold.

“Miss Tu Tri Ha, niece of Co An.”

The judge cleared his throat: “Please come in here with me.” I led my two sons into that small room again. Co Bac Van sat in a chair, his hair was messy, his tie was askew. The female lawyer wearing glasses stood next to him, her face also extremely unsightly. Seeing me enter, Co Bac Van suddenly raised his head. There was no longer calculation in his eyes, but... fear and resentment.

“An An…” The judge let my son sit down.

“Now, in front of your mother, say what you just said one more time.”

Co An nodded. He took something out of his small briefcase.