Chapter 2 — My Oldest Son's Secret Made My Ex-Husband Pale Right in Court

A very old silver MP3. That's the one I used many years ago, and after it became outdated, I conveniently threw it in a drawer.

"Dad said mom is emotionally unstable and likes to get angry."

Co An's voice was very calm.

“But every time my mother is unhappy, she locks herself in her room.”

“It's not because of us.”

“It's because after dad came home, he argued with mom.”

“It's the same every time.”

I was stunned. That's right, in the past two years, the number of times Co Bac Van has come home has become less and less. Every time he returned, he brought with him the smell of alcohol and strange perfume. That's why we quarreled and fought a cold war. I thought the kids didn't know.

"Dad also said mom punished us not to eat."

Co An looked towards Co Bac Van, with mockery in his eyes.

“Last week, my team and my brother's both only got 85 points.”

"Mom said it's okay, try harder next time, and also make braised pork for us to eat."

“Dad came home and saw the test, please collect our bowls.”

"Dad said, you don't deserve to eat if you're doing so poorly."

“That night, mom sneaked up in the middle of the night to cook egg noodles for us.”

I couldn't hold back my tears anymore. It turns out my child knows everything.

“The most important thing is this.”

Co An raised the MP3 in his hand.

"Dad made a phone call with Ms. Bach Mong, I recorded it."

Co Bac Van jumped up from his chair.

"You little animal! How dare you record!"

His face was fierce, he stretched out his hand to rob. The judicial police immediately stepped up and held him tightly.

"Co Bac Van! Pay attention to what I say!" The judge shouted angrily.

Co An was not intimidated by him at all. It presses the play button. After a moment of electric buzzing, Co Bac Van's pale voice rang out.

"Mong Nghien, don't worry, the right to raise the child is definitely mine."

"Those two kids? They're just tools."

"The image of Co Bac Van cannot be tainted."

“It's okay to get a divorce, but it's not okay to leave your wife and children.”

"Wait until we get custody of the children, then send them to boarding school after two years. It won't hinder our affairs."

Next was Bach Mong's cooing voice.

“Uncle Van, you are so kind, I don't want to be a stepmother.”

It turns out that even his biological son can be seen as a tool to maintain his image. I just felt the world spinning. The room was as silent as death. The judge's face was as black as the bottom of the pot. He picked up that small MP3, stared at Co Bac Van, asking every word.

“Mr. Co, about this recording, is there anything else you want to explain?”

Co Bac Van was paralyzed in his chair, his face as gray as ashes. His lips trembled, unable to say a word. His lawyer, that well-spoken woman, was also silent at this time. Evidence, this is ironclad evidence. Enough to crush all the lies they had woven before. The judge stood up, not even looking at Co Bac Van again.

“Adjourned, half an hour later the provisional verdict will be announced in court.”

Having finished speaking, he led the judicial police and that important MP3 out. I hugged my two sons, my body still shaking slightly. Not because of fear, but because thinking about it makes me shudder and get angry. If only, if my An An hadn't recorded that audio. What is waiting for me today is what will be the outcome? He left empty-handed, separated by blood and kin. Co Bac Van, you are so unique evil. Half an hour later, we returned to the courtroom. Everyone's eyes were focused on me, Co Bac Van and the two children. The atmosphere was completely different from before. The judge tapped his gavel. The sound is dignified and clear.

"After discussion by the jury, we now issue the following verdict regarding the divorce case between plaintiff Co Bac Van and defendant Tu Tri Ha."

“One, approve the divorce of the plaintiff and defendant.”

"Second, regarding the division of common marital property, a separate trial date will be chosen."

“Dad, about the right to raise two children together in marriage…”

The judge paused slightly, his sharp eyes scanning Co Bac Van.

“Before the final verdict was issued, temporary custody of the two children belonged to the mother, Tu Tri Ha.”

"Plaintiff Gu Bo Wen, from the date the judgment takes effect, must pay twenty thousand yuan in alimony every month until the final judgment is issued."

"Without Ms. Tu Tri Ha's consent, you are not allowed to visit on your own."

Boom. I felt the tight rope in my head finally snap. I won, temporarily won. I hugged An An and Ninh Ninh tightly, tears welling up in my eyes.

“Thank you… thank you kids…”

Mother's treasure, mother's soldier. Co Bac Van sat in the defendant's chair, staring at me. But there was nothing he could do. The court speaks by evidence. Stepping out of the court gate, the sunlight was just beautiful. I held my two sons' hands, feeling like I had just survived death. We took a taxi to the small apartment I temporarily rented. The house is very small, one bedroom and one living room, but I keep it very clean.

“Mom, we won.”

Ninh Ninh raised her small face, her eyes sparkling.

“Yes, we won.”

I said smiling. An An didn't say anything, just put the MP3 back in my palm.

“Mom, from now on, we will protect you.”

I couldn't help it anymore, squatted down, hugged the two children tightly in my arms. How lucky am I? In the evening, I made the children their favorite Coca chicken wings. Looking at them eating greedily, I felt a sense of stability in my heart that I had never felt before. Even though the road ahead is unknown, as long as my child is by my side, I won't be afraid of anything. At this moment, my phone rang. It's a strange number. I hesitated a bit, still answering the phone.