After three years of marriage without getting pregnant, I finally conceived twins through IVF after eight attempts. But just three months into the pregnancy, I was diagnosed with a rare disease that threatened my life. The doctor suggested I terminate the pregnancy to start treatment as soon as possible, but my husband Lucas flatly refused. “Chloe, you’ve been through so much to conceive them. I can’t bear to let all your efforts go to waste. I’ll bring in the top specialist, Dr. Mitchell, to oversee your case. He’ll make sure you and the babies stay safe, and you’ll be able to watch them grow up.” I agreed with his decision, thinking that if I really died, at least the children would be there to keep him company. But when I was six months pregnant, I accidentally overheard a conversation between Lucas and his brothers. “As expected of our bro Lucas, to come up with the idea of having Chloe be a surrogate for Olivia!” Lucas replied casually, “Well, Olivia suddenly returned to the Jiang family. Otherwise, I would have married her. Since Chloe took her place, she might as well do something useful.” “Aren’t you worried she might not survive the surgery, given her condition?” Lucas kissed Olivia beside him and said nonchalantly, “I’ve already invited Dr. Mitchell. Nothing will go wrong. As long as she behaves, considering she’s having children for Olivia, I don’t mind letting her keep the title of Mrs. Lin.” I listened with a chill running down my spine, my whole body trembling. So, the children I was desperately trying to bring into this world weren’t even mine. 0
“If you weren’t so delicate and afraid of pain, we wouldn’t have needed Chloe to carry our babies,” Lucas teased, looking at Olivia, who pouted at him playfully. He chuckled softly and pulled Olivia into his arms, saying with utmost tenderness, “But it’s okay. You were in tears just from freezing your eggs. I couldn’t bear to see you go through childbirth.” The others around them cheered and teased about how loving they were. Olivia frowned, suddenly remembering something. “I’m such a wimp when it comes to pain. Come to think of it, Chloe doesn’t seem to be afraid of pain at all. She went through IVF eight times without shedding a tear!” Lucas scoffed, “How can you compare yourself to her? You were raised like a princess. If it weren’t for Grandpa insisting I marry her, how could I let you stay with me without a proper title?” The others comforted them, “A marriage certificate is just a piece of paper. It doesn’t affect your relationship. But for Chloe, that certificate means something different. Having her as a surrogate is better than using a stranger – at least we know her background. Plus, she’s so eager to marry into the Lin family that she’s more obedient than a dog. The Lin family won’t starve her, so it’s like keeping a pet – no big deal.” In the private room, their contempt and disdain for me were unconcealed. The humiliation and suffocation I felt chilled me to the bone. I caressed my belly, where the life I had once looked forward to the most was growing. But now they’re saying the child I’m risking my life to protect isn’t mine? For this child, I gave up my beloved career, endured morning sickness and hair loss, watched my belly swell like a balloon, and aged beyond recognition. Not to mention the eight rounds of IVF, countless egg retrievals, and mountains of medication I went through, all while facing the fear of possible death. And now they’re saying everything I did was a joke? That the child isn’t even mine? Their noisy chatter continued, but all I could hear was a ringing in my ears. Was it my mistake to become the Jiang family’s daughter? Before meeting my birth parents, I never imagined that the story of switched-at-birth daughters would happen to me. I certainly didn’t expect that after the Jiang parents found me, they would use a vacation as an excuse to avoid the awkwardness and flee abroad. My biological brother publicly declared that Olivia was his only sister. Only old Mr. Lin stubbornly insisted on tradition, believing that the engagement was set with the Jiang family’s only daughter, and forced Lucas to marry me. I thought Lucas was my savior, rescuing me from a cage. But it turns out he only led me into another hell! 0
The truth was so cruel it bordered on absurdity, making me flee home like an escapee, my thoughts in chaos. I received another anonymous video on my phone, showing the continuation of the scene in the private room. One of Lucas’s followers suddenly asked, “Do you think if we tell Chloe the babies aren’t hers right after she gives birth, she’ll be so shocked she ends up in critical condition?” “You know, she seems to genuinely love Lucas. She’s willing to have kids while sick. It’s a shame she can’t read the room. Lucas and Olivia have been childhood sweethearts. Who does she think she is, barging in between them!” Another person chimed in, “It would be quite a show if we really told her. She’d probably have a breakdown.” Lucas slowly exhaled a smoke ring and said leisurely, “If you want to know how she’ll react, we can try it when the time comes. Maybe she’ll find out before giving birth.” The others mocked, “Even if she finds out early, she’ll still have to give birth. They’re Lucas’s children after all. She doesn’t have the guts to anger Lucas.” “True, she’s as pliable as clay and such a bootlicker to Lucas. Back then, she was so eager to secure the marriage that she constantly groveled before Lucas.” Olivia teased from the side, “You guys seem so concerned about Chloe. Why don’t one of you try pursuing her after Lucas divorces her? She’s been starved for affection since childhood, so she’s easy to handle. Plus, she’s about to be a divorced woman with a short life expectancy, so you won’t have to worry about long-term commitment.” “Speaking of which, she’s carrying twins. Her belly looks terrifying. I wonder what she’ll look like after giving birth!” Upon hearing this, the men all expressed disgust and quickly refused. “No thanks, I don’t want that kind of blessing. Just looking at that belly, I’m afraid I’d have nightmares for half a month.” “Don’t joke like that. There are so many pretty girls out there waiting for my attention!” They spoke crudely, but Lucas just smiled faintly, seemingly indifferent. With a “thud,” my phone fell to the ground. I didn’t realize when my back had broken out in a cold sweat. Only then did I discover that I had never truly seen the man who spoke to me so gently and cared for me so attentively by my side. I remember when the IVF was successful, Lucas’s face was full of excitement and concern. He carefully touched my belly and said softly, “Don’t trouble Mommy, okay?” He would also invite a bunch of chefs to prepare various dishes for me when I had morning sickness and swelling. “Chloe, pregnancy is hard on you. For the sake of the babies, think about what you’d like to eat. Whatever you want, I’ll make it happen.” “These two troublemakers, when they’re born, I’ll definitely help you discipline them.” I thought he cared about me, but now I know it was all for the babies. Do they all think I’ll resign myself to giving birth to these children? Well, this time, I refuse. 0
A month ago, news came from Country A that there had been a breakthrough in treating my rare disease. They asked if I would be willing to volunteer for their drug development program. I didn’t agree at first for the sake of the babies, but they said this was a rare opportunity that might offer a chance for successful treatment. Perhaps out of a desire to survive, I inexplicably kept their contact information, not realizing it would come in handy now. I messaged them, and they quickly responded, agreeing to accept me as a volunteer for their research team. Thinking of the babies in my belly, I called my brother Ryan, using pregnancy mood swings as an excuse to say I wanted to travel alone to Dali. As expected, as soon as the call connected, I was met with a rebuke. “You’re already six months along and still can’t settle down? What if something happens to the babies? You’re being ridiculous.” I didn’t care about his reaction. I only told him to prevent them from searching for me too quickly and interfering with my plans if I suddenly disappeared. But I didn’t expect that my brother, who usually couldn’t be bothered with me, would show up at my door. “Chloe, can’t you understand the situation? Do you know how important these babies are?” Seeing his unusual behavior, my heart sank, but I forced myself to ask, “How important?” His eyes flickered, and he continued, “Babies conceived after so many IVF attempts – you know better than I do how important they are.” “Then do you know that I’m sick, and these babies might cost me my life?” He blurted out without thinking, “The Jiang family has access to the best medical teams. Don’t scare yourself. It’s not good for the babies.” Just then, Lucas pushed open the door, reeking of alcohol and carrying a bag of supplements. As soon as he entered, he handed me the bag, saying, “Chloe, I’m back!” “These are from Olivia. She says they’re good for the babies. She’s so eager to be an aunt.” Eager indeed! Olivia, who had always been dissatisfied with me, was now sending supplements, baby clothes, and even imported bird’s nest soup that she used to say I didn’t deserve – all because of these two babies. As the Jiang family’s biological daughter, I could only enjoy what should have been rightfully mine through the babies’ influence. And even that was just scraps from an impostor. How ironic! Lucas noticed Ryan and visibly startled before affectionately patting my hair. “It’s getting late. You should go rest. I’ll sleep in the study tonight to avoid the alcohol smell bothering you.” The lipstick mark on his collar was glaringly obvious, and the alcohol smell was mixed with Olivia’s signature perfume, making me nauseous. I didn’t say anything, just took the bag and hurried back to the bedroom. I heard him say to Ryan, “Ryan, you’ve come at the right time. I have some business to discuss with you about that land in the west of the city.” Seeing the two of them heading straight for the study, I threw the bag on the bed and quietly walked to the study door. The first thing I heard was Ryan’s voice: “Did you slip up about the babies? Why is she suddenly saying she’s in a bad mood and wants to travel alone?” “You know she always puts the babies first. She’s never mentioned anything risky before.” Lucas pondered for a moment: “It’s impossible. Maybe it’s just hormones affecting her. You’re overreacting. These are Olivia’s babies. I’ve been very careful. There’s no way she could have found out…” I couldn’t hear the rest of what he said. My vision blurred. My suspicions were correct. Ryan knew the truth too! Everyone knew. Only I was fooled like an idiot. Whether it’s the babies, Lucas, or my family, I don’t want any of it this time.
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