Ten Years a Stand-in Wife—Old Money Only Recognizes Me Chapter 14

Ten Years a Stand-in Wife—Old Money Only Recognizes Me Chapter 14

The demand letter arrived at Shaw Manor a week later.

It came via certified mail, with the return address of a well-known law firm on the east side of town.

When Nancy brought it in, her hands were shaking.

“Mrs. Shaw-”

“Put it on the table.”

I opened it.

A single sheet of paper.

[Plaintiff: Valerie Mercer.

Claim: Restoration of legal custody over the minor Ethan Shaw.

Grounds: The plaintiff is the biological mother of the child currently raised by the defendant and holds priority custodial rights under law. The plaintiff temporarily left the family for personal reasons and has now returned, possessing full civil capacity and financial stability. She requests the court restore her custodial rights and rule that the defendant, $loane Shaw, unlawfully

assumed the plaintiff’s identity.]

I set the document down, picked up my phone and called Braydon.

“I received it.”

“I got a copy too,” his voice was steady. “Her lawyer isn’t great. Two incorrect legal citations, but the core claim stands-biological mother does have legal standing.”

“But-”

“But she’s been absent for more than two years and her actions qualify as abandonment. Opposing

counsel clearly didn’t check Article 36 of the Civil Code regarding termination of custody rights.”

“It’s not that they didn’t check,” I said. “Valerie didn’t tell them the truth. She must’ve said she

‘temporarily left.’ Not ‘faked a death certificate and fled.””

“Yeah. Also, Mrs. Shaw, that document you handled three years ago-

“Legal adoption paperwork.”

“Yes. You and Mr. Adrian Shaw are co-adoptive parents. Ethan’s adoption is fully registered with

the relevant authorities. Everything is in order.”

“And Ethan’s own intent matters too-courts consider the opinion of minors over ten in custody

cases.”

“He’s eleven.”

“Yes. And if I may be blunt-given his level of attachment to you, I think opposing counsel will have

a very hard time in court.”

I gave a quiet “hmm.”

“Also, one more thing.”

“Go ahead.”

“How much did you find on Valerie Mercer’s overseas record?”

“Almost everything. Do you want to use it now?”

“Not yet. Let’s wait for her next move.”

“Understood.”

I hung up.

Small footsteps came from the doorway.

I turned.

Ethan stood there in his pajamas, messy hair sticking up in all directions. But his eyes were bright -too bright, almost anxious.

“Mom.”

“Why are you up?”

“I heard you on the phone.”

“Eavesdropping?”

“I was just passing by…”

He walked over and stood beside my chair.

He was almost at my shoulder now-still thin, but growing fast, limbs taking on that firm structure

of adolescence.

He didn’t look at me. Just stared out the window.

“Mom.”

“Hmm?”

“Is that lady going to take me away?”

“No.”

“She’s my biological mom.”

Not a question.

He said it calmly.

calmly.

ildren his age shouldn’t sound like that.

“She gave birth to you,” I chose my words carefully, “but-”

“But she left,” he cut in, voice steady, “she left for ten years.”

“Dad already told me.”

“When?”

“Three years ago. I asked him why I don’t look like you.”

My chest tightened.

Ethan turned to look at me.

“Dad said, ‘She didn’t give birth to you, mom stayed.’”‘

but she raised you. The one who gave birth to you left. Your

“And then he said-‘From now on, make your own judgment. I won’t choose for you.’

That man.

“…Good night.”

The door closed.

His footsteps faded down the hallway.

I sat there, inhaling slowly.

When I exhaled, my whole chest trembled.

The demand letter on the table rustled in the wind.

I picked up a pen, writing four words across it.

[See you in court.]

File response.