Chapter 33 — Post-Divorce Rebound: Claiming My Daughter and Starting Over

I do not believe you! You are lying to me! You are only trying to stall for time!

As the words left her lips, a cold, sharp voice suddenly echoed from the entrance of the warehouse. You have guessed correctly. She is indeed stalling for time.

Chu Bich Hoa started, whipping her head around in shock. Co Dinh Tham?

I stood frozen in place. Standing at the warehouse door were not only Tham Du Minh, To Tinh, and several plainclothes police officers, but also Co Dinh Tham himself. His entire body was drenched from the pouring rain, and his expression was terrifyingly frigid. As he looked at Chu Bich Hoa, every trace of familial affection had vanished from his eyes.

Mother, I told you. Do not lay a hand on Nuan Nuan. Yet, you refused to listen.

Chu Bich Hoa stammered, her voice trembling. Dinh... Dinh Tham. I... I only wanted to help you.

Help me? Co Dinh Tham laughed, a sound so desolate and cold it pierced the air. You are trying to destroy the entire Co family. Put down that lighter. If you do not, do not blame me for failing to honor the bond between mother and son.

You... Chu Bich Hoa shook with fury. Are you actually siding with that wretch? Everything I have done was for you! It was all for the sake of the Co family!

Enough! Co Dinh Tham thundered.

The very moment Chu Bich Hoa instinctively turned to look at him, Tham Du Minh signaled sharply. Now!

The officers and those accompanying them surged forward simultaneously. To Tinh rushed straight toward Nuan Nuan, while Tham Du Minh struck the arm Chu Bich Hoa held the wrench with. The lighter clattered to the concrete floor. Clang! The sound of metal striking stone echoed through the cavernous warehouse. Chu Bich Hoa shrieked, struggling frantically.

Stay back! Do not touch me! I am the mother of Co Dinh Tham! I am the matriarch of the Co family!

But it was far too late. To Tinh quickly tore the tape from Nuan Nuan’s mouth and untied her bonds. You are alright now. You are safe, Nuan Nuan.

I scrambled forward, pulling my daughter into my arms. The little girl sobbed uncontrollably. Mommy... I was so scared. I thought... I thought I would never see you again.

I held her tightly, my entire body shaking violently as my own tears finally broke free. I am sorry. Mommy arrived too late. I am so sorry.

Tham Du Minh watched the two of us, letting out a soft breath of relief. Just then, an officer hurried over, his face grim. Counselor Tham, we have found it. In the corner of the warehouse, there is gasoline and a vast amount of flammable material. Had we been even a few minutes later, the consequences...

He did not finish his sentence, but everyone understood. Co Dinh Tham’s face turned deathly pale in an instant. He looked at Chu Bich Hoa, and for the first time, his eyes did not hold anger, but genuine, profound fear.

To Tinh looked at Nuan Nuan, who was still trembling from the shock, and suggested softly, Take her to the hospital for a check-up first.

I nodded, cradling Nuan Nuan as I left that suffocating warehouse alongside Tham Du Minh and To Tinh. I did not notice when the rain had stopped, but a faint, pale light was beginning to break across the horizon. Inside the car, Nuan Nuan fell asleep in my arms, her small hand clutching the fabric of my shirt tightly, refusing to let go.

I stared silently out the window at the scenery rushing backward. My heart felt like a hollow, frozen void. Chu Bich Hoa was finished. Kidnapping, attempted arson, and intent to cause bodily harm—the witnesses and physical evidence were all there. These crimes alone were enough to lock her away for many years.

But it was not enough. Co Dinh Tham, Lam Vy Vy... the suffering and the terror you have inflicted upon Nuan Nuan and me, I will make you pay for it a hundred times over.

The car sped toward the hospital, while the fire of vengeance burned within me—never had it been so vivid, so intense, and so clear. Nuan Nuan’s medical examination confirmed that, aside from severe emotional distress and a few superficial scrapes, she was physically unharmed. That, at the very least, allowed me to finally breathe again.