Chapter 1 — When I Left My Grandfather's House, I Only Took My Daughter With Me

HOLDING MY EX-HUSBAND'S DIVORCE PAPERS, MY EX-HUSBANDS ASKED WHICH CHILD I WANT TO TAKE... I JUST HOLD THE DAUGHTER WHICH THE WHOLE FAMILY LOOKS LIKE A SERVANT, THE FOLLOWING SAYING MAKES THEIR HOUSE SILENT! As soon as I held the divorce papers in my hand, my ex-husband asked me which son I wanted to take away. I didn't look at the three boys. Just quietly walked over and hugged her daughter who was huddled in the corner of the room. Then calmly said:

"Those three stepchildren... I don't dare bring them along."

"Just leave them with me and Lam Vy Vy."

"Have you thought it through?"

Co Dinh Tham conveniently threw two rolls of dark red paper on the sandalwood table. His voice was cold. Even colder than the winter rain outside the window. Behind him. Three boys wearing small suits are still passionately building new Lego sets. Bustling laughter. No one bothered to turn their heads to look at us. I bent down to pick up a roll of paper. His fingertips just touched the three gilded letters on the cover. A burning sensation immediately spread out. I traded my youth. Change your self-esteem. In the end... What I received in return was just a broken marriage.

"I've thought about it carefully."

I raised my head. Calmly look straight into Co Dinh Tham's cold eyes.

"But I have one condition."

The corner of his lips curled up sarcastically. His eyes seemed to predict that I was about to bow my head and beg.

"Finally revealing your true colors?"

"How much money do you want?"

"Or do you want Co's shares?"

He leaned back on the sofa. Casually crossed her long legs. The appearance of someone who holds complete decision-making power. Right at that moment. Co Tu Hien turned his head and grimaced at me.

"Dad, mom is probably about to cry and beg for money again."

Co Tu Hao immediately followed.

"Right."

"Even adults still ask for money."

"What a loss of face."

The youngest boy, Co Tu Thuy, blinked his innocent eyes. In my hand, I still held the piece of strawberry cake that I had just snatched from my daughter's hand. It's my daughter. In the corner of the room. She was wearing an old, faded sweater. Two small hands clutched the hem of his shirt. Quietly standing in a corner. Her name is Diep Noan Noan. From the moment I was born crying. In this luxurious villa with crystal chandeliers, Persian carpets and countless precious antiques... Noan Noan still lives like a shadow. Diep Thanh Uyen. Was the best student in the Fine Arts Department of Phong Dan University. Only a Lady in name only. Her status is not even that of a maid. The maid also has a salary. There are days off. And I don't.

"I don't need money."

Even I was surprised at how calm my voice was.

"I just want to take Noan Noan away."

The whole room suddenly fell silent. The contemptuous look on Co Dinh Tham's face disappeared. Instead, there was a look of incomprehensible surprise. The three children also turned their heads to look at me. The first person to speak was still Co Tu Hien.

"Impossible!"

"Noan Noan is our punching bag."

"If he's gone, who will wash our feet?"

"Who will help us copy the punishment?"

Co Tu Hao nodded vigorously.

"It also has to let us ride it."

Co Tu Thuy did not understand the beginning or the end. Still holding up the cake in his hand, mumbling:

"Don't give it away."

"My cake... I haven't finished it yet."

Noan Noan's body trembled slightly. The child bowed her head. I almost wanted to hide my face in my chest. A cold stream from the soles of my feet slowly spread throughout my body. It's three kids all the time Over the past five years, I have dedicated myself to taking care of her. It's also the so-called perfect family... Which I used to risk everything to preserve. Even... Leaving his own daughter to suffer all the disadvantages.

"Do you hear me clearly?"

“The three of us cannot be without our sister.”

Co Dinh Tham pointed towards the three boys. The tone was very calm. It's as if the younger sister was born just to serve the brothers.

“What's more, do you think you can afford to raise her?”

“Five years without work, separated from society for so long.”

“What do you use to feed it?”

“Or rely on paintings that no one wants to buy?”

Every word he said... Was like a cold knife cutting into the last bit of self-esteem left in me. Five years ago. I'm only twenty-two years old. Just passed my PhD with top results. Teacher once said... My paintings have a very rare light. But Co Dinh Tham only said one sentence.

“Lady Gu doesn't need to go out to work.”

“Staying at home and taking care of your husband and children is enough.”

My mother-in-law also told me.

“The most important thing for a woman is to give birth to a son.”

I put away my paintbrush. Fold up unfinished paintings. Learn flower arrangement. Learn tea ceremony. Study nutrition. Learn how to take care of your husband. Learn how to raise three boys. I used to think... I was preserving happiness. Until Noan Noan was born. Until I realized... The three children that I once considered as my own children, had only command and contempt in their eyes. Until the day he accidentally opened a drawer in Co Dinh Tham's office. There are truths... Just touching it is enough to make people suffocate.

“I really can't afford to take all three of you away.”

I breathed out softly. As if wanting to pour out all five years of sadness weighing heavily on my heart. Right before Co Dinh Tham's triumphant eyes. I turned around. Slowly walk to the darkest corner of the room. The place where Noan Noan is curled up is as small as a blade of grass that has never been touched by sunlight. I squatted down in front of my child. Those eyes full of fear... Just like me when I was twenty-two years old. I still know how to laugh. Still believe in hope. I gently stroked my child's hair. Then he raised his head and looked straight at Co Dinh Tham. Every word.

“But those three illegitimate children of unknown origin…”

“I don't dare bring it.”

“I have no intention of keeping it.”

A sudden clap of thunder sounded outside the window. Lightning flashed. Clearly see Co Dinh Tham's gradually changing face. No longer calm. No more contempt. Only surprise remains. A flash of panic was difficult to conceal.

“What is a stepchild?”

Co Tu Hien lost his voice. Co Dinh Tham did not answer. His eyes were fixed on me.

“Diep Thanh Uyen.”

“Do you know what you're talking about?”

"I know."

I calmly looked at him.

“And you… understand better than I do.”

“So is Lam Vy Vy.”

Just heard the three words "Lam Vy Vy". Co Dinh Tham's hand immediately tightened. At the same time. On the second floor. The shadow of the person secretly listening also stiffened. The Co family's personal doctor. At the same time... Also the biological mother of three children. The second year after I stepped into the Co family's house. She used the excuse of health care. Duong Duong Chinh stayed for four years. Every time my mother-in-law causes trouble. The person who gently comforted me... It was also her. There was a time... I was truly grateful to her. I thought... There's still one in this house someone who gives me some warmth. Now that I think about it... It's funny.

“Shut up!”

Co Dinh Tham stood up.

“If you want money, just say so.”

“Don't slander others.”

“Without evidence, it's all just fabrication.”

I bent down to look at Noan Noan trembling in my arms. At that moment... The last bit of hope in my heart was completely shattered.

“Evidence?”

I smiled softly.

“First drawer on the left in my office.”

“DNA assessment.”

“Do you need me to read every word to you?”

“Or let me remind you.”

"That was a test done when Co Tu Thuy was just one month old."

“Or do you want me to tell you all…”

“For the past five years…”

“How did I foolishly raise your and Lam Vy Vy's children?”

My voice was so calm that it sent chills down other people's spines. Co Dinh Tham's face turned pale. For the first time... The man who always thought everything was under control... Completely lost his temper.

“You... you dare go through my things?”

I laughed sarcastically.

“What if I go through your things?”

“Compared to your cheating while I was pregnant…”

“And you forced me to raise your and Lam Vy Vy's child for five years.”

“That…”

“What is it worth?”