Chapter 11 — Post-Divorce Rebound: Claiming My Daughter and Starting Over

I remained perpetually vigilant, keeping a watchful eye on everything around me. Meanwhile, I accelerated my pace, taking on more illustration commissions. I began consistently posting a series of comics on social media—a story of a mother deer leading her fawn in search of a new, peaceful land. The art style was warm and healing, yet within the details, I wove a layer of resilience and hidden strength that only those who looked closely could truly discern. To my surprise, the series received an outpouring of positive feedback. My follower count grew steadily, and I was even contacted by an editor from a publishing house, eager to collaborate. Though the royalties were modest, every bit of income helped steady the foundation of the small home I shared with my daughter. Nuannuan’s condition, in particular, showed clear signs of improvement. She began to venture out onto the balcony, laughing heartily, and would occasionally point at the small animals in my picture books, asking me with genuine curiosity:

"Mommy, are they just like us? They’ve found a new home too, haven’t they?"

The nights when she would wake up trembling from nightmares grew fewer and farther between. Sometimes, she would even sit obediently by my side, quietly coloring with her crayons. Time seemed to be drifting slowly toward a brighter horizon. Until, one weekend afternoon, the doorbell suddenly rang—a frantic, impatient sound. I peered through the peephole. Standing outside were two men in the building management uniforms, their expressions stern. Behind them stood a middle-aged man in a suit, clutching a leather briefcase.

"Are you Miss Diep Thanh Uyen?"

"Open the door. We are with building management and the neighborhood committee. We have several matters to verify with you."

One of the property managers spoke loudly. My heart sank. A sense of impending dread washed over me. I opened the door, but before I could utter a word, the middle-aged man with the briefcase stepped forward. He flashed an identification card so quickly that I barely had time to register it, then spoke with an arrogant tone.

"You are Diep Thanh Uyen? We are from the district’s inter-agency fire safety inspection task force. A citizen has reported that your apartment is illegally rigging electrical wiring and hoarding flammable materials, posing a severe fire risk. We are here to conduct an inspection as per regulations. You are expected to cooperate."

A fire safety inspection? I had only moved into this apartment recently, and my belongings were sparse. Where would I possibly have flammable materials?

"May I ask... who exactly is the whistleblower? Is there any written documentation? And... could I please see your identification and the formal notice of inspection once more?"

I stood firmly in the doorway, refusing to step aside. The middle-aged man frowned, his voice dripping with impatience.

"I told you to cooperate, so just cooperate! Don’t babble on. Obstructing officers in the line of duty will lead to legal consequences!"

The men from the building management echoed his sentiments immediately. "Miss Diep, just let the inspection team inside. If there are no issues, it’s all the better. If there are, you can fix them promptly. It’s for the safety of all residents in the building."

With that, the two of them attempted to push their way inside.

"Mommy!"

Startled by the commotion, Nuannuan came running, clutching tightly to my legs, her small face pale with fright. I scooped her into my arms, holding my ground without retreating a single step.

"According to regulations," I said, my voice steady, "when officials conduct an inspection of a private residence, they must present valid legal documentation and the basis for the inspection. They must also clearly state the reason for their visit. I did not get a clear look at your credentials just now, nor have I seen any official notice bearing a proper seal. If you cannot produce these, I have the legal right to refuse entry into my home."

These words—