Chapter 9 — Post-Divorce Rebound: Claiming My Daughter and Starting Over

The lawyer was also someone handpicked by Dinh Tham. They had been relentlessly pressuring me to sign the documents. Du Minh took notes as I spoke, offering a slight, rhythmic nod.

There has been a serious misunderstanding here, he said, his voice measured. Coupled with the distinct possibility of fraudulent misrepresentation or coercion. The clause in this agreement regarding the waiver of asset division... it is highly likely that a court would deem it blatantly unfair and move to annul or amend it. Now, moving on to the matter of joint marital assets. Based on the information you have provided, the wealth held under Dinh Tham’s name is substantial. Throughout the duration of your marriage, you were a full-time homemaker, meaning your personal income was entirely non-existent. When the divorce proceedings began, did he engage in any conduct to transfer, hide, or obscure these assets? And what of the documents in his study that you mentioned previously?

I rose from my seat and walked into the bedroom. From a discreet, hidden corner, I pulled out an old wooden chest filled with paints. I pried open a secret compartment concealed within the lining. Lying inside was not a set of brushes, but a waterproof file folder. My hands trembled slightly as I handed it to him. Inside were the final pages of a DNA test result I had secretly photographed six months ago—the conclusion itself. There were also several grainy photographs, yet the figures were unmistakable: Dinh Tham and Vy Vy, their bodies pressed together in an embrace as they entered an apartment in the dead of night. Most importantly, there were several loose sheets of notes. These were the transaction figures and summaries I had managed to jot down back when I was allowed into the study to tidy up his papers. At the time, I had only possessed a vague, gnawing suspicion, fueled by an instinctual sense of dread. I never imagined that today, those notes would become my lifeline.

These might not be entirely conclusive, I said softly, a trace of regret clouding my thoughts. They may not form a complete, airtight chain of evidence. I... I could never access the core files.

Du Minh accepted the folder, examining each page with meticulous care. His eyes, framed by his spectacles, were intensely focused and razor-sharp. After a long moment, he nodded slowly. These documents are of immense value. They can be used as a preliminary basis to petition the court for a discovery order. From there, we can conduct a deeper investigation into the assets and financial transactions involving Dinh Tham and his associates. Most significantly, this DNA analysis is the smoking gun, the vital piece of evidence needed to prove that he has fundamentally violated his marital obligations.

He carefully tucked the papers away. Ms. Diep, I will take these documents with me. My team and I will analyze them thoroughly before constructing a formal legal strategy. This process will take time. Once we initiate formal legal proceedings, Dinh Tham’s side will likely react with extreme aggression. You and little Noan should prepare yourselves mentally for that possibility.

I nodded, my fingers unconsciously tightening. I understand. As long as I can secure a fairer future for Noan, I am not afraid.

There is one more thing, Du Minh said, pausing to look directly at me. You mentioned earlier that you have a professional background in fine arts, but you had to abandon your career after the marriage. Tell me, do you have any intention of restarting your career now? During the process of settling child custody and claims for economic compensation, your capacity to earn an income, as well as your desire and ability to provide for your daughter independently, will be crucial factors for the court to consider.

I faltered for a moment. A complex wave of emotion surged within me. For five years, this was the first time anyone had asked me about my career with such professional and equal regard, rather than asking if I had taken good care of the husband, the son, or the mother-in-law. I am currently trying to accept a few commissions, I replied quietly. I am also practicing how to paint again.