Chapter 10 — The Final Flip: When I No Longer Have Patience

Chu Minh... is he really suing me?

“I called today on commission from a customer.” she continued.

"My client wants to talk to you... about dividing a real estate property in joint names between you and your ex-husband - Mr. Chu Minh."

I was stunned.

"Real estate?"

“Apartment in Han Lam Uyen area, west of the city.”

My head felt like it was exploding. Han Lam Uyen? In my name... there is only one apartment in the Anh Duong area.

"Lawyer Ton, are you mistaken? I don't have any assets in Han Lam Uyen."

“Are you sure?”

Her voice carried a hint of laughter.

"As far as I know, this apartment was bought entirely three years ago by Mr. Chu Ve Quoc - Chu Minh's father."

“On the house book… there are two people's names written down.”

“Miss. And Chu Minh.”

Everything in my head felt like it was exploding. I got it. Chu Minh's so-called "trump card"... is not money. Not an old house. Zhu Weiguo. The father-in-law passed away three years ago. Someone I only met once at a wedding. He… left a “gift”. A house. Named after me and Chu Minh. It's true... A surprise enough to make people laugh bitterly.

This "surprise" struck me, making me dizzy as if someone had pulled me out of the ground.

A house, a house I've never known before... but it bears my name, has existed quietly for the past three years like a silent protection. That's what Chu Wei Quoc left behind, his father-in-law who rarely spoke, was not used to expressing himself all his life, but chose to silently protect him with things heavier than words. I remember during the wedding, he once pulled me aside, stuffed a thick envelope into my hand, his voice was so sincere that people couldn't bear to refuse. He said, "Tieu Cam, our family's conditions are not good, let you suffer, if Chu Minh dares to bully you, just tell me, I will teach him for you." At that time I just thought, that was the simple kindness of an older person, but I never expected that behind it was such a thoughtful arrangement. Are you making amends for your useless son, or are you secretly saving me a way out, in case one day I'm forced to leave? I hung up with lawyer Ton and immediately called my father, because of this matter, only he can know part of the truth.

“Han Lam Uyen…” my father was silent for a long time, his voice lowered as if he was recalling an old story that was not easy to put into words.

"That happened, that year Mr. Chu discovered he was sick, knew that time was running out, so he began to worry about his children's future."

"He was afraid that after I left, if Chu Minh wouldn't be close, he would suffer losses, so he used all the money he had saved, including his military allowance, to buy that house."

“He also said that the house book must have your name on it, and it must be placed first, because that is what protects you if one day things are no longer the same as before.”

“He said, if I have to leave, at least I won't be empty-handed, at least I'll have something left that belongs to me.”

My father sighed, his voice mixed with a bit of regret, as if replacing a deceased person to finish what had not yet been said.

"Mr. Chu has never lived for himself in his whole life. In the end, he still only thinks about others. Unfortunately... his son is not worthy."

My tears fell without warning, falling for someone who is no longer in this world but left more to me than anyone else alive. I also cried for myself, for three years already I tried so hard that I lost myself but still couldn't change a little bit of kindness.

“I understand, dad,” I wiped my tears, my voice gradually returning to calm, like a thin layer of ice that had just re-formed after a crack.

"That house is what he left me. I will not let it fall into the hands of the Chu family, even if it's just a small part."

If Chu Minh has pulled out this card, then I will continue, not to counterattack, but to end this game the way I want. I quickly made an appointment to meet lawyer Ton, the location was her office, a bright place, overlooking the central park, a quiet but stressful space. Lawyer Ton is over thirty, has a neat demeanor, sharp eyes that seem to see through every layer of the other person's thoughts, the type of person who just sits still enough to make others not dare to lie. What surprised me was that she was not the person hired by Chu Minh, but someone who had been entrusted by Chu Wei Quoc in advance, the person who would stand up to protect my rights if one day things came to this end.