My best friend and I married into the powerful Sterling family together. I got the eldest son, Julian. She got Damon, the younger. We got pregnant in the same month. We went into labor on the same day. I gave birth to a boy with a failing heart. The Sterlings treated him, and me, like a stain on their legacy. My best friend, Seraphina, delivered a healthy, robust boy. He became the family’s golden child. To save my son, Julian and I sacrificed our inheritance, willingly cut off from the family. Later, the child recovered, but he recognized Seraphina as his mother. Julian and I froze to death by the roadside. Only after I died did I learn the child with the failing heart was Seraphina’s. She swept them. When I opened my eyes again, I was back to the very day we were due to give birth… “Rory,” her voice drifted gently from the next bed, “do you think our babies will be boys or girls?” I slowly opened my eyes and looked over. My best friend, Seraphina, was gently caressing her baby bump, a soft, maternal glow on her face. I stared at her, my mind reeling. My hand, hidden beneath the blankets, savagely pinched my skin. The pain was sharp. Real. It was true. I was back, trapped once more in the sterile limbo of the delivery room. She’d asked me the same question in our last life. Back then, I’d been blind, answering with a laugh, “Boy or girl, as long as it’s mine, I’ll love it.” “And what if the baby isn’t healthy? Will you still love it?” Her voice floated over again. The words were a perfect echo of the past. Last time, I’d been blind. This time, I knew. She had already known her baby would have problems. The swap had been her plan all along. In my previous life, I’d laughed it off. “Relax, Sera! We’re on the Sterling estate, with doctors on call. Our babies are going to be perfect. Don’t scare yourself, and definitely don’t scare me. You know I’m a big softie.” But Seraphina pressed, needing a firm answer. I gave her one. “If it’s my child, I’ll love it and care for it.” “You better mean that, Rory!” she beamed, a flicker of triumph in her eyes I’d been too naive to recognize. I never knew, then, that every word was a step in her design. Now, the same question hung in the air between us. I immediately turned my head and pressed the nurse call button. Kim, my assigned nurse, was at my side in an instant. “Mrs.Rory Sterling, what can I do for you?” she asked softly. “I need to be moved to a private delivery room. I don’t want to stay in here with her.” Kim blinked, but nodded. As the elder Sterling daughter-in-law in active labor, a sudden odd request wasn’t unheard of. “One moment, please. I’ll arrange it immediately.” Seraphina anxiously called out, “Kim, wait!” “Ma’am, shall I call your nurse for you?” Kim asked politely. Seraphina snapped, ignoring the courtesy. “Don’t you dare move her.” Kim’s eyes sought mine. “Mrs. Sterling?” “Proceed. Now.” I calmly instructed. Kim nodded and left the room. Seraphina glared at me, her face darkening. “Rory, what is this? Are we not best friends anymore?” We used to be. In my past life, we were. But not anymore. This time, I wouldn’t let her wicked schemes succeed. That ungrateful, cold-hearted brat? They could have him.
“Seraphina, I always considered you my closest friend, but I never expected you to suggest my baby might be unhealthy. Until my child is born, I don’t want to see you.” After saying my piece, I turned away, not wanting to look at her. I was afraid if I looked at her any longer, I wouldn’t be able to control the rage boiling inside me. Seraphina didn’t notice my unusual change. She just thought I was upset about her comments regarding the baby’s health. She immediately started explaining, “Rory, that’s not what I meant! I’m just so nervous about giving birth, that’s all. Please don’t overthink it.” “We promised we’d deliver together, and spend our recovery chatting in the same room. You can’t leave me now!” At the end, Seraphina resorted to her usual trick. Her eyes welled up, looking at me as if she were the most wronged person in the world. In my past life, I’d given in to her emotional manipulation time and time again, which is why she always got what she wanted from me. But this time, I wouldn’t yield. “Seraphina, until my baby is born, I don’t want to hear anything negative. And your persuasion won’t change my mind.” Seeing my resolve, Seraphina stopped trying to convince me. However, it wasn’t long before the Sterling brothers arrived. Julian, my husband, smiled gently when he saw me, hurrying to my side and tenderly touching my forehead. “Don’t worry, Rory. I’m right here with you.” Julian had always been so gentle, his presence calming my heart, yet making it race all at once. For our child, he would have sacrificed everything. But in my past life, we’d both put our faith in the wrong people, and it led to a tragic end. “Julian,” I whispered his name, full of emotion. He quickly asked, “Are you in pain?” I was about to answer when I heard Damon’s incredulous voice from Seraphina’s bed. “Seraphina, you must have misheard, right? Rory is so close to you. Now that she’s about to give birth, why would she suddenly want a private delivery room?” Seraphina replied, her voice laced with feigned hurt, “Damon, it’s true. It’s all my fault for saying something that upset Rory. Please, go talk to her for me.” Damon walked to my bedside, looking confused. “Rory, is what Seraphina said true? You’re really moving to a private delivery room?” “Yes, that’s right,” I replied with a smile. Damon looked even more bewildered but immediately accused me of bullying Seraphina. “Rory, aren’t you being unfair to Seraphina? She’s your sister-in-law. How could you do this at a time like this? Aren’t you worried something might happen to your baby?” He was taking the moral high ground. If it were the old me, I would have been the pushover, compromising for Seraphina. But reborn, knowing Seraphina’s malicious schemes, how could I stay with that venomous woman? “Damon, apologize to Rory,” Julian said before I could even open my mouth, making his stance clear. Damon looked shocked. “Julian, Rory’s the one in the wrong. Why should I apologize to her?” Seraphina immediately chimed in, “Exactly, Julian! You should join Damon in persuading Rory to stay with me. I’ll be scared without her.” With that, Seraphina sniffled, looking utterly devastated. One more look at her, and I felt my eyes ache, a wave of nausea washing over me. “Ugh!” I couldn’t help but retch, and Julian’s face immediately darkened. “Seraphina, even if you and my wife are close, there are still boundaries. Damon, is this how you teach your wife respect?” Damon, reprimanded by Julian, grew even angrier. “Julian, are you really letting Rory twist your judgment? Your wife is bullying my wife, and you’re scolding me?” I glanced at the couple, catching a fleeting smirk in Seraphina’s eyes. She was plotting something sinister again.
“Damon, is Julian’s reprimand really so wrong? You’re quick to accuse me, but have you considered the truth?” “Seraphina and I are close, it’s true. But with both of us so close to giving birth, Seraphina kept asking me what I’d do if my baby wasn’t healthy.” I sighed, then continued, “I’m a pregnant woman too. And I’m even further along than your wife. I’m scared too, you know.” Then, I too feigned a sniffle. “Besides, would our friendship truly suffer just because Seraphina and I are in different delivery rooms?” “Or is Seraphina somehow certain my baby won’t be healthy, and that’s why she keeps bringing up my child?” I spoke each word slowly and deliberately, my gaze fixed on Seraphina and Damon. They stiffened, looking like they’d been caught red-handed, a flicker of guilt flashing in their eyes. Especially Damon, who shot Seraphina a furious, covert glare. It was exactly as I’d suspected. Damon was in on the baby-swapping plan. I couldn’t stand another second in that room. Seraphina and Damon tried to argue, but I cut them off with my final word. “Seraphina, even if you’re just nervous, I can’t stay here with you.” “I believe you’re just anxious, but I’m still moving to a private delivery room. It’s also for the Sterling name.” That last sentence finally silenced the couple. For a family like the Sterlings, reputation was the only currency that mattered. Sisters-in-law forced to share a delivery room? he tabloids would spin it into a saga of neglect and family discord. Appearances had to be maintained, even here. Kim walked in. “Mrs. Sterling, the new delivery room is ready.” I nodded, and Julian followed, carrying my things. Once settled, I noticed Damon had followed us. A sense of urgency pursued me. It also told me they hadn’t given up on their plan to swap the babies. Seraphina and my delivery rooms were on the same floor, separated by three rooms, making a baby swap still quite feasible. But no medical staff would dare to swap babies for a wealthy family’s delivery. Therefore, the only ones who could swap the babies were Seraphina and Damon. Seraphina swapping babies after delivery was unlikely, so the one to act would be Damon. I felt like I’d uncovered the truth, and my hand, hidden beneath the blanket, clenched into a tight fist. “Rory, both you and Seraphina are about to give birth. Seraphina is just overly nervous, so please don’t be angry.” “Our Sterling family is vast and prosperous. It’s probably better for you and Seraphina to be in separate delivery rooms anyway. I’ll go keep Seraphina company now.” I offered him a faint smile. “Alright, go on. Be with her.” As soon as he left, Julian sat beside me. “Rory, did something happen?” “Julian, you have to watch over our baby carefully,” I said seriously, tears welling in my eyes. Julian didn’t quite understand but smiled. “Of course, darling. He’s our child. I’ll protect him with my life.” I was anxious but couldn’t tell him about my rebirth. Not only was it unbelievable, but our tragic past was something I alone should bear. He deserved to remain optimistic and carefree. Before my water broke, I quickly told him about several news stories about babies being stolen or swapped in hospitals. Julian found it unbelievable but didn’t argue. As I was telling him the stories, my water broke. Seraphina also went into labor. We were wheeled into separate delivery rooms. After six grueling hours, our baby was born. I was exhausted, but I dared not sleep. I watched the medical staff clean my baby. I watched as they placed the hospital’s special newborn bracelet on his wrist. I watched as they brought him to me. The baby was fair, plump, and perfectly healthy, his tiny hands actively swatting at the air. This was my child.
I passed out from exhaustion. When I woke up, the first thing I saw was Julian. “Julian, where’s our baby?” I asked weakly. He chuckled. “You did amazing, darling! The baby’s right over there with Kim. Don’t worry.” I nodded and told him, “Bring the baby over. I want to see him.” He gave a helpless smile and asked Kim to bring the baby to me. The baby hadn’t been swapped. I let out a sigh of relief. But then Julian asked, “How are you feeling now? Do you want something to eat?” Almost as soon as he asked, Kim brought over a nutritious meal for new mothers. I ate quietly, and afterwards, the urge to sleep returned. Before drifting off, I repeatedly instructed him, “Julian, you absolutely must watch over our baby. Don’t leave his side for a second, stay focused.” Julian looked even more helpless but patiently reassured me, “Alright. Get some rest, I’ll keep a close eye on our baby.” His words eased my mind a little, but I still felt uneasy. However, a new mother post-delivery is incredibly weak, and my body simply wouldn’t obey my will. I quickly fell back asleep. When I woke again, it was three in the morning. Julian wasn’t there, and neither was Kim. My heart tightened, and I immediately pressed the nurse call button. The first person to enter the room was Mrs. Sterling, my mother-in-law. “Mom, what are you doing here?” “Both you and Seraphina have given birth to boys for our Sterling family, so how could I not come?” “I had the chef make some chicken soup. Would you like a sip?” I couldn’t refuse my mother-in-law’s offer, so I smiled and said, “Yes, please.” But inwardly, I desperately wanted to see my baby. With my mother-in-law sitting beside me, watching me with a smile, I had no choice but to force myself to drink the soup. I mindlessly finished the chicken soup, then proactively asked, “Mom, where did Julian go?” “Oh, he just left the room to go to Damon’s side. Your father had something to ask him. He’ll be back soon.” “He just left?” I asked suspiciously. My mother-in-law nodded without hesitation. “That’s right.” But my unease persisted. Something felt off. In my past life, when Seraphina and I gave birth to our sons, my in-laws didn’t even visit us at the hospital that night. Yet tonight, both my in-laws were here, and they had even called Julian away. A preposterous, yet strangely true, premonition began to form in my mind. “Mom, I want to see the baby.” “What’s there to see in a baby? They all look the same. The most important thing now is for you to rest and recover. You can see the baby tomorrow.” My mother-in-law’s words were meant to sound caring, but she was subtly refusing my request to see the baby. My unease intensified, and I said again, “Mom, please bring the baby over. I want to see him.” But my mother-in-law commanded me sternly, “Rory, you’ve just given birth; you shouldn’t get agitated. You’ve had your chicken soup, now rest. You can see the baby tomorrow.” She wouldn’t let me see the baby. But I was too worried the baby had been swapped, so I pressed the nurse call button again. My mother-in-law frowned, glaring at me. I offered a sheepish smile. “Mom, I just want to see the baby for a moment. It’s not that I’m disobeying you.” This time, Kim arrived very quickly. “Mrs. Sterling, what can I do for you?” “I want to see the baby.” Kim immediately brought the baby over. With just one look, I knew something was wrong with the baby. My baby had been swapped. This wasn’t my child. Both Seraphina’s baby and mine were boys and both looked fair and healthy, but their lip colors were different. My healthy baby’s lips were pink. Seraphina’s son, with the failing heart, had lips that were a faint purple. And compared to my healthy child, the baby in front of me was clearly much weaker. “This isn’t my baby.” The conviction in my own voice propelled me to action. “Kim, call Julian. Now.” But my mother-in-law stopped Kim. “You’re not going anywhere.” Then, she looked at me coldly. “Rory, what are you trying to do?”
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