Chapter 9: The End of Make-Believe

**Chapter Eight**

When I reached the entrance to the living room, I slowed down and heard my mother-in-law’s familiar loud voice inside.

"This is my grandson, Ethan."

My father exclaimed in admiration.

"Wow, Ethan is truly distinguished. At such a young age, his bearing is extraordinary!"

I smiled and stepped inside.

"Hello, Mrs. Shaw. Hello, Judge Shaw."

I greeted them politely, but my gaze stayed on Ethan the whole time.

He wore a navy blue sweater. His features still had a childish innocence, but his brow already hinted at the handsome man he’d become. It wasn’t hard to imagine how striking he’d be as an adult.

A surge of maternal affection rose in my heart. I wanted to walk over and ruffle his hair.

But Ethan stepped back, his expression cold as he looked up at me.

His eyes were full of intense disgust.

"This is that Rachel Lee?"

"I don’t like her. Dad, you absolutely cannot marry her!"

It felt like I’d been punched in the chest—painful and suffocating.

I stood there stunned, my eyes involuntarily reddening.

Ethan and I had lived together for over twenty years. I knew him too well.

Young Ethan had a temperament just like his grandmother’s—shouting and making a fuss at the slightest displeasure, doing things carelessly.

The older Ethan never showed his emotions, even when angry, keeping that calm look in his eyes—just like he was now.

Even though he deliberately raised his voice at the end, I could tell right away he wasn’t the same as the Ethan from childhood.

He, like me, had lived through another lifetime.

I still remembered the day Ethan was appointed a federal judge. The President held a banquet, and he drank until he was completely drunk.

When we got home, he hugged me for the first time, losing his usual composure.

"Rachel, I’ve requested the highest honor for you. Except for the First Lady, you’re the most respected woman in this country."

"Are you happy?"

My eyes filled with tears.

"Ethan, thank you."

"If your dad could see you now, he’d be so proud of you."

The body in my arms suddenly stiffened.

Ethan was silent for a moment, then slowly pushed me away.

"Even now, you still can’t forget him?"

I nodded vigorously.

Someone else’s son had raised me until now, giving me all this wealth and honor. How could I forget?

You can’t forget your roots.

"Ethan, being able to marry into the Shaw family is my fortune from several lifetimes. If there’s a next life, let’s still be family, all right?"

Ethan’s eyes were deep and dark. After a long while, I heard an extremely soft sigh by my ear.

"All right."