Ten Years a Stand-in Wife—Old Money Only Recognizes Me Chapter 09

Ten Years a Stand-in Wife—Old Money Only Recognizes Me Chapter 09

8:15 p.m.

The air at the entrance shifted.

Not loud. Not chaos.

Silence.

A sudden vacuum of attention.

I held my wine glass and turned around.

Valerie stood at the doorway.

She wore a bright red dress, satin, embroidered with gold phoenix patterns. The neckline dipped

low, the slit revealing a flash of bare thigh with every step.

Her makeup was three times heavier than earlier.

Red lips. Smoky eyes. Sharp winged liner like blades.

Her hair was styled into a polished French twist, a vintage pearl hair comb tucked into it.

I recognized it.

It belonged to Adrian’s grandmother, Jenifer Shaw-something she’d brought from her family

when she married into the Shaw family.

Valerie had always coveted it. I hadn’t expected her to take it when she left.

She walked in on high heels, steady, chin slightly lifted.

Like she was reclaiming something.

All eyes turned to her.

Most faces held the same expression confusion.

Who is she?

She didn’t recognize them.

More importantly-they didn’t recognize her.

Her steps slowed, just a fraction.

Her gaze swept the crowd, searching for a familiar face.

There were none.

Ten years.

The women from back then-some moved away, some divorced, some passed on. The rest had

aged, changed.

The new generation had no idea who Valerie Mercer was.

She steadied herself, lifted her smile, and walked toward the nearest group.

“Hi, I’m-”

“Sorry, and you are?” a young woman cut in, polite but guarded.

Valerie’s smile froze for a split second.

“I’m Valerie Mercer, I’m-”

“Valerie?”

A middle-aged woman turned from the side. Early fifties, dressed in a dark gown, a diamond ring

on her hand.

Sarah Fuller.

An old acquaintance from ten years ago.

Valerie’s eyes lit up. “Sarah! You remember me-”

“Oh, it is you.” Sarah looked her up and down, her smile faint. “Weren’t you supposed to be dead?”

“Well… it’s a long story-”

“Then don’t tell it here.” Sarah swirled her glass. “This is an auction gala, not a reunion. Do you

have an invitation?”

Valerie’s face paled for a split second.

Invitation.

She didn’t have one.

“I… I’m Adrian Shaw’s-”

“Mrs. Shaw is over there.” Sarah gestured lightly in my direction with her glass. “You can ask her

for one.”

Then she turned and walked away.

Valerie stood there.

Fingers gripping her clutch, knuckles pale.

Whispers spread around her. Eyes poked, lingered.

Not cruel.

Worse than cruel-indifference.

They didn’t know her.

They didn’t care to.

I watched from ten steps away.

My wine glass turned once between my fingers.

Adrian stood beside me and said quietly, “Want me to have someone escort her out?”

“No.”

I took a sip.

“Let her stand there a while.”

Not revenge.

Just letting her see one thing clearly-the moment she walked away ten years ago, this circle stopped being hers.