Chapter 4 — The new house code is 123110, I just looked at it and changed the lock

Below are a series of likes.

"Great dad."

"The family is so happy."

"Chi Tu is so adorable."

I looked at those comments. Suddenly remembered December 31 last year. Would he ever hug that other child like that? Have you ever recorded a video? Have you ever been complimented by others: Great father. That night, after Chi Tu fell asleep, I put the box of cake into a trash bag. There was still a little cream left on the bottom of the box. Light pink. I stared at that pink color for a long time. He stuffed my daughter's first birthday into the last two numbers of the door lock code. Like a bonus gift. On the morning of October 12, I went to the Ha Loan apartment complex again. Fifth floor, apartment on the left. This time I directly knocked on the door. The person who opened the door was the short-haired woman. Seeing me, she frowned slightly.

"Hello, who are you looking for?"

"Hello, Ms. Trinh. I'm a new resident moving in downstairs. The management board asked me to go notify each house. Next week we will check the plumbing system."

She watched me for two seconds.

"Ah, I see. Thank you."

She was about to close the door. At that moment, the sound of a child crying was heard inside. She turned around and went in. The door doesn't close completely. I see the living room. On the tea table, place a milk bottle and wet towel. In the corner there is a blue baby stroller. On the TV cabinet, place a photo frame. In the photo, Luc Hang is holding a baby and smiling happily. Behind is that wall of pink and blue balloons.

"Welcome little prince."

It took all my strength not to let my eyes linger for too long. Trinh Le carried the baby out and gently comforted him. The child cried until his face turned red.

"How many months is the baby?"

"Ten months."

"Is it a boy?"

"That's so cute. Looks a lot like dad."

Trinh Le's hand paused a bit. She didn't answer. I smiled again.

"My family also has a child of this age, a girl. In the future, we will have a chance to let the children play together."

She reluctantly smiled. Before turning to leave, the corner of my eye glanced at the shoe shelf at the door. On the top floor there is a baby sock. Blue and white stripes. Used. Haven't washed it yet. When I went downstairs, that sock was in my bag. When I got back to the car, I put it in a sealed bag. After listening to me, Tham Vy took a cold breath.

"Did you steal my socks?"

"Nien Niem, you're a bit scary now."

"Can you help me?"

She paused for a moment.

"But I have to ask you a question. If the results are as you think, are you mentally prepared?"

I looked at the two sealed bags. A bag containing Luc Hang's hair. One bag contained the other baby's sock.

"The results can't get any worse than they are now."

Three days of waiting. Life continues as usual. Every day Luc Hang comes home. Wash dishes, clean the house, play with Chi Tu. Before going to bed, he also poured me a cup of hot milk. It's like suddenly returning to being an exemplary husband. Sometimes he sat on the carpet, holding a colorful wooden block to make Chi Tu laugh. Chi Tu giggled and jumped into his arms. I looked at father and son. What hurts me the most is not that he betrayed me. But my daughter still doesn't know that her father's words "I will love you forever" have long been ranked first. October 15, two o'clock in the afternoon. Tham Vy called. I go Go to the balcony to listen to the phone.

"The results are out."

"Paternity confirmed. 99.97% probability."

Outside the balcony, under the building, there is a kindergarten playing children's music. The children sang out of rhythm and out of tune. The sound was extremely bustling. But I felt strangely empty around me. Tham Vy asked:

"Nien Niem, are you still listening?"

"What are you going to do next?"

I looked at the row of newly installed street lights in the distance. One tree at a time. Line up neatly.

"Help me make an appointment with lawyer Chau."

"Is that the lawyer who helped you handle the labor dispute last time?"

"Are you going to get a divorce?"

"I want to kick him out of my life."

On October 16, I met with a lawyer. Lawyer Chau is in his forties, his hair is half white, and he speaks very decisively.

"Miss Tham, my confirmation is a little simpler."