Chapter 1Time's Up: My Aunt Adopts Me

My name is Yvette Fitzroy. I'm the daughter of Hugo Fitzroy and Clara Burke. It's been three months since my wealthy parents found me and brought me home.

Now, they're finally taking me to the county family court to finalize my legal placement with them.

It is 4:40 pm, half an hour before the filing office closes.

This is the ninth attempt to finalize my legal placement with them. It's also the first time they actually make it on time.

Just as I am about to walk inside, the fake heiress, Ivana Fitzroy, speaks up behind me.

"Mom, Dad, I want to take one last family photo with you," she says.

I go still. Hugo and Clara, however, turn around immediately.

"We can take as many as you like. There's no rush," they say.

Ivana stands between them with tears in her eyes. She gives me an apologetic smile.

"I'm sorry, Yvette. I just can't bear to leave Mom and Dad. Don't worry. I just want a keepsake. I'll leave as soon as we're done taking the photo. I won't take what's yours," she reassures.

Hearing that, Hugo declares on the spot, "Nonsense! You'll always be our daughter!"

Clara chimes in to agree.

I lower my eyes, softly interrupting their affectionate moment.

"Mom, Dad, the office closes in half an hour," I say. "Interstate procedures take a long time, but if we go in now, we can still make it."

Hugo snaps at me in displeasure. "What's the rush? It'll only take a few minutes. Are you really that eager to kick Ivana out?"

I stand to the side and watch the three of them take their family photo. A sudden wave of relief washes over me.

I lower my head and send my billionaire aunt, Victoria Fitzroy, the address.

"Aunt Vicky, you said that if the ninth time still fails, you'll take me as your daughter," I type. "If that offer still stands, come before 5:00 pm. We can make me your legal daughter in time."

* * *

Not long after I sent the message, the screen lit up again.

Victoria Fitzroy only replied with three words: "Wait for me."

Staring at the short line, I'd never felt this steady.

Ever since Hugo Fitzroy and Clara Burke found me and brought me home, the word they said to me most was "wait".

The first time we tried to finalize my legal placement, I was too excited and too nervous. I got to the office at dawn.

I waited from daylight until dark before I finally got them on the phone.

"Ivana cried all day," Hugo said. "She's not ready yet. Let's wait until next time."

The second time, I prepared every document ahead of time and went to their company myself.

But Ivana Fitzroy wanted a limited-edition pastry from Norda, which was miles away. Because of that, Hugo and Clara made me get out of the car. Then, they immediately turned around with her and left me to wait for the bus.

The eighth time, I finished all the early paperwork on my own and took a number. They only had to show up, and the procedure would be done.

But then Ivana got low blood sugar and fainted at the door.

Hugo and Clara said, "Let's wait a little longer."

Every time, they had an excuse. And every time, I said it was fine.

They had only just found me, so I told myself that they needed time to get used to me.

Family could not be rushed. We had to take it slow.

But making my place in their family legal was different.

To other people, those papers were just pages.

But to me, they represented the days I starved at my foster parents' house and the old belt scars on my arms.

They were also the only leverage I had when those people tried to sell me off for money.

As long as the papers were still in their hands, it was as though I hadn't really escaped.

That day was the ninth time.

The counter would close in 25 minutes.

Under the tree outside the office, Ivana, Hugo, and Clara were huddled together, taking photos.

They were all smiling. They looked like a happy family of three.

Meanwhile, I stood there alone, awkward and out of place.