Chapter 5 — On a 5-day business trip, I called the police to kick my husband's entire family out of the house

There is a photo of them entering the hotel together. There are photos of them holding hands in the shopping mall. There's a photo of them both getting out of the same car — my white Honda. In a photo taken in August, Tong Nha wore a floral dress, her lower abdomen clearly protruding. Next to it is a note:

"Through verification, Tong Nha is now suspected to be pregnant, about 4-5 months pregnant."

I stared at that line for a long time. For the past three years, at every family meal, Tien Que Phuong has always scolded me as "a hen that doesn't know how to lay eggs". Chu Hao Nam never refuted a word. Turns out it wasn't that he didn't want to refute. He needed that excuse. I opened my phone and sent Tu Manh a text message:

“The evidence is enough.”

“Second, sue.”

She replied almost immediately:

“I will prepare a lawsuit and at the same time request to preserve assets.”

I added:

"One more thing. Is that 300,000 yuan debt considered a joint debt?"

"If it can be proven that the money was used for an affair that had nothing to do with you, the court will normally not judge that they are jointly responsible."

“Rest assured, the chain of evidence is very clear.”

I turned off the phone and went to the balcony. The night wind blew, carrying the sweet scent of cinnamon flowers. I stood there for a long time. I thought we were husband and wife. He looked at me like an ATM again. I thought he was just soft. Turns out he's very smart. Smart enough to play the role of "gentle husband" in front of me for three years. This play... It's time for the curtain to close. At nine o'clock on Monday morning, I followed Tu Manh into the document reception hall of the People's Court of Cam Hoa District, Cam Thanh City. Petition for divorce. Application for property preservation. List of evidence. Tu Manh prepared so meticulously that there was not a single loophole. The assistant judge at the reception counter picked up the documents and looked at them, then looked up at me.

"The plaintiff requests that the at-fault party receive little or no share of the common property?"

"That's right."

Tu Manh answered for me.

"The defendant committed many violations in marriage such as adultery, concealing debt, transferring assets..."

“We ask the court to confirm that the plaintiff's pre-marital assets are not within the scope of division.”

“At the same time, the debts hidden by the defendant must be the defendant's sole responsibility.”

The assistant judge nodded.

“The records are complete, the case is accepted.”

Stepping out of the court gate, the sunlight was so bright that it hurt my eyes. Tu Manh gave me a glass of Americano.

“From now on, he will receive a court summons.”

“Are you mentally prepared?”

“Ready.”

“After receiving the summons, there may be two types of reactions.”

“One is panic, proactively looking for you to negotiate a reconciliation.”

“The other type…”

“Mad with shame.” I continued.

Tu Manh nodded.

"If he harasses you, remember to keep evidence. If necessary, apply for a personal protection order."

I took a sip of coffee.

“Ah Manh, I have a question.”

“If during the marriage, he gets another woman pregnant…”

“What about the law?”

“It is extremely favorable evidence that proves the guilty party.”

"Besides, the other person is four or five months pregnant, which means their relationship at least started at the end of last year."

“And that period of time completely overlapped with your marriage.”

“It's all an advantage for us.”

Return company, I put all my energy into my work. Three days later. Thursday evening. Chu Hao Nam called.

“Lam Van Tinh, I have received a court summons.”

The tone this time is different from before. There is no more soft and conciliatory style. It's the silence that suppresses anger.

“Do I have to force things to the end?”

“If you have a lawyer, tell your lawyer to contact my lawyer directly.”

"Do you think the court will favor you? I've lived in that house for three years, so legally I have rights—"

“Where did you study law?”

I laughed.

“Individual property before marriage does not automatically become community property just because of marriage.”

“That is the most basic provision of marriage law.”

“Chu Hao Nam, find a decent lawyer.”

“Stop calling me to teach me the law.”

“Lam Van Tinh!”

“Ah yes.”

I continued slowly.

"I already understand the story of Ms. Tong Nha."

“300,000 yuan in cosmetic fees.”

“Bich Thuy Hoa Vien area, Thanh Van district.”

“Living together.”

“Four or five months pregnant.”

“Do you want to go to court to continue talking about these things?”

The other end of the line was silent.