Chapter 39 — Post-Divorce Rebound: Claiming My Daughter and Starting Over

The Co family mansion has been officially sealed off. The three children have been placed under the temporary care of distant relatives, while rumors regarding their true parentage circulate quietly in the shadows. Their future, once bright and secure, now seems destined to be paved with thorns. I took Nuon Nuon away from our cramped, temporary rental apartment, and with the help of Tham Du Minh, we moved into a residential complex with top-tier security. Ever since the kidnapping, Nuon Nuon has suffered from severe psychological trauma, requiring immense patience and gentle care to begin the long process of healing. I set aside the majority of my work, dedicating every waking moment to her side, attending therapy sessions faithfully. Slowly, the smiles began to return to her face, and the nights marked by sudden, terrified waking and cries of distress became fewer and farther between.

My illustrated series, The Little Fawn Seeks a Home, caught the attention of organizers for a charitable art exhibition, and I was invited to participate as a guest artist. The theme of the exhibition was simply: Rebirth and Hope. My work was displayed in a place of honor, drawing significant attention and warm praise from attendees. A well-known publisher of children’s books contacted me shortly thereafter, expressing a deep desire to develop my story into a full collection. Life, at long last, began to shift toward a warmer, more hopeful horizon.

Over a month later, Tham Du Minh requested a meeting to provide me with the latest updates. Because a vast array of illegal activities had been verified, the arrest of Co Dinh Tham was officially approved, and his case had officially entered the stage of criminal prosecution. The case involving Chu Bich Hoa had also been transferred to the Procuratorate. As for Lam Vy Vy, serving as both a vital witness and an accomplice, her active cooperation in turning over key evidence and testifying against Co Dinh Tham proved significant. After a thorough review, the judicial authorities indicated they would likely show leniency, though she must still face the consequences of her actions under the law. As for the three children, their true lineage remained under official investigation; once a conclusion was reached, the authorities would implement a plan to ensure their best interests and healthy development were prioritized.

What about my divorce? I asked.

Because Co Dinh Tham is implicated in numerous criminal charges and has committed exceptionally grave offenses against the sanctity of the marriage, the divorce proceedings have moved forward very favorably, Tham Du Minh explained. The court has issued a ruling in absentia, granting your request to strike down several unfair clauses in the original prenuptial agreement while ordering a complete redistribution of the marital assets. Based on the evidence you provided, the court has officially confirmed that Co Dinh Tham engaged in marital fraud, deliberate concealment of assets, and the illicit transfer of joint property. Consequently, the court has upheld your claim for a fair division of the estate. While the majority of the assets registered under his name have been seized or frozen, the court’s decree ensures you will still receive a substantial, legitimate share—enough to guarantee your and Nuon Nuon’s financial security for a very long time. As for custody, there was no dispute; the court has granted you full, sole custody of Nuon Nuon, and Co Dinh Tham is legally obligated to provide a high level of child support until she reaches the age of maturity.

Tham Du Minh handed me a copy of the court’s judgment. A faint, relieved smile touched his face, as if he, too, were finally able to breathe easily. I took the document in my hands. Though it was physically thin, it felt as heavy as a mountain. My fingertips brushed over the lines of text, a tide of complex emotions washing over me. There was no overwhelming surge of joy as I had once imagined; instead, there was only the hollow exhaustion that comes after a long, grueling war, accompanied by a lingering, unshakeable sense of melancholy. Five years of my youth, a farce of deception, and a body full of scars—these were the things I had traded for this single, final piece of paper.