Ten Years a Stand-in Wife—Old Money Only Recognizes Me Chapter 15

Ten Years a Stand-in Wife—Old Money Only Recognizes Me Chapter 15

The next morning at the breakfast table, Adrian asked me, “What are you planning to do about the

demand letter?”

Ethan had already left for school. Only the two of us remained, along with a plate of untouched

pan-fried eggs.

“Fight it. Head-on.”

“Need help?”

“No.”

He looked at me.

That gaze-neither dismissive nor worried.

It was like a Go player studying an opponent’s board, realizing every move had already landed on

the most precise point.

“When did you get this sharp?”

I picked up my fork and took a pan-fried egg.

“You’ve been sitting across from me eating breakfast for ten years. You’re only asking now?”

The corner of his mouth moved.

Not quite a smile.

Something restrained. Deeply soft.

“Sloane.”

“Hmm?”

“Don’t wear yourself out.”

I bit into the egg.

The yolk spilled out-half-cooked, golden liquid pooling on the plate.

“Got it.”

The day of the hearing, it rained lightly.

Three cars were parked outside the courthouse.

The first was mine. Braydon sat in the passenger seat, holding three thick case files, each nearly

two inches wide.

The second was Valerie’s. She got out of a taxi-just a regular cab, not a private car. She wore a plain gray suit jacket, several levels more modest than what she’d worn at the auction gala.

Intentional.

Dressed for the judge.

The third belonged to the Mercer family. David and Linda stepped out of an older Buick. Linda

carried a bag stuffed with tissues.

Ready to cry.

The courtroom was small.

The gallery seats were nearly empty-just a few unrelated observers.

Valerie’s lawyer looked young. His suit sleeves showed a sliver of white shirt cuffs, buttoned all the way up to the collar. Nervous. He flipped through his documents twice; the edges were already

curling.

Braydon sat beside me, calm and unshaken.

The hearing began.

Valerie’s lawyer spoke first.

Core argument: Valerie Mercer is the biological mother of Ethan Shaw, supported by DNA evidence. She temporarily left the family for personal reasons ten years ago, but has now returned with full legal capacity and financial stability. She requests restoration of custody rights.

Braydon responded.

First point: Valerie Mercer did not “temporarily leave.” She fabricated a death certificate, leading

the entire family to believe she was dead. That is not a “temporary absence.” That is abandonment.

Valerie’s expression changed.

Her lawyer clearly heard the words “death certificate” for the first time. He turned to look at her.

She avoided his eyes.

Braydon continued.

Second point: Sloane Shaw and Adrian Shaw completed the legal adoption of Ethan Shaw three years ago through proper procedures. The relevant authorities have full records. All documentation

is valid.

“Three years ago?” Her lawyer froze, flipping through his files. Nothing.

Because Valerie never told him.

Third point: Under Article 36 of the Civil Code, since Ethan Shaw is over ten years old, the court

must take the minor’s own wishes into account.

Braydon opened the final folder.

Inside was a written record of a video-an independent interview conducted by a court-appointed

social worker three days earlier.

The social worker asked, “Would you like to live with Ms. Valerie Mercer?”

Ethan answered, “Who is that?”

“She is your biological mother.”

A three-second silence.

Then he said, “My mom is Sloane. I don’t know anyone else.”

The courtroom went quiet.

Valerie’s lawyer set down his pen.

This case had already ended the moment it was filed.

But Valerie still hadn’t accepted it.

“Your Honor,” she suddenly stood up, her voice shaking. “I am his mother. No matter what the law

says-I carried him for nine months, I gave birth to him. No document can replace that—”

“Ms. Mercer,” Braydon interrupted, voice even, “my client raised him for ten years.”

“Not nine months in the womb.”

“But ten years in life.”

“Every single day.”

“3650 days.”

“Every meal. Every school drop-off. Every feverish night. Every parent-teacher conference.”

“You say you are his mother.”

“My client never had to say it.”

“Because she lived it.”

The courtroom fell silent.

Valerie stood there, lips moving, but no sound came out.

Behind her, Linda was already dabbing her eyes-finally using the tissues.

David kept his head down, rubbing his hands together.

The judge struck the gavel.

“Court adjourned. Judgment to be announced at a later date.”

Valerie swayed slightly.

Her lawyer steadied her.

When we walked out, she passed me.

Her steps paused for a second.

She turned her head and looked at me.

Her eyes were red, but dry.

No tears.

As if they simply couldn’t come out anymore.

“Sloane.”

“Valerie.”

“You really… plan to take everything from me?”

I looked at her.

“Valerie,” I said, “you left that day and abandoned everything.”

“I didn’t take anything.”

“You chose to leave it behind.”