Chapter 1

The day I was discharged from the hospital after giving birth, my mother-in-law, Patricia Whitmore, kept pointing at the baby in my arms and humiliating me the whole way home.

"Genevieve, just look at that pathetic thing in your arms. I doubt he'll live very long."

I shot back angrily, "Patricia, how could you say that? The doctor said the baby is perfectly healthy!"

Patricia curled her lip into a sneer. "You're so ignorant. Here you are, yelling at me when I'm only telling you the truth out of the kindness of my heart."

I didn't want to waste my energy arguing with her, so I turned away with the baby in my arms and stared out the window.

It wasn't until we got home that my seven-year-old daughter told me something.

She told me that she'd seen Patricia secretly switch my perfectly healthy son with the child of my husband's childhood sweetheart, Evelyn Reed. The same child who was suffering from a congenital heart defect.

That was when I finally understood why Patricia had been humiliating us.

She was acting that way because she thought she had already gotten what she wanted.

Unfortunately, she never expected that Nina had already switched her little brother back while they weren't paying attention.

Chapter 1 The Baby Swap

"Genevieve, just look at the thing you gave birth to."

Patricia slammed her thermos onto the coffee table the second I walked through the doors with my baby in my arms.

"He's all wrinkled, and his cry is so weak that even a person's whisper is louder than his. Even worse, he doesn't even look like Gabriel? You didn't cheat on him and have this kid with someone else, did you?"

I ignored her and lowered my head to straighten the baby's swaddle. "Patricia, you were the one who brought this baby back from the hospital."

Patricia's expression stiffened for a moment, and she averted her eyes. "So what if I brought him back? Who knows who his father is?"

I paid her no mind and carried the baby boy into the bedroom.

My seven-year-old daughter, Nina, was lying beside the bed. She blinked up at me before asking, "Mom, is Oliver asleep?"

I stroked her head. "Yes."

Nina rose onto her tiptoes and leaned toward the baby for a look. Then, she lowered her voice and whispered, "Mom, I pulled off Oliver's hospital bracelet. Grandma won't find out, will she?"

My hand froze as I stared at her in confusion. "What bracelet?"

Nina pulled a severed blue plastic band from her pocket. It read, "Evelyn Reed's Son."

My whole body tensed the moment I read it. "Nina, where did you get that?"

Nina shrank back nervously. "Last night at the hospital, Grandma told the nurse to take you for some tests. Then, she took Oliver away and went to the room next door. I snuck after her. That's when I saw her put Oliver beside a woman's bed and bring that woman's baby back.

"Grandma even said, 'This little bastard is going to be your son now.'"

I clenched the bracelet so tightly that I could feel my nails digging into my palm. "What did you do?"

Nina lifted her face, looking a little proud of herself as she declared, "After Grandma left and that woman fell asleep, I snuck back in and switched Oliver back! I even cut off his bracelet so they wouldn't be able to tell the difference!"

I looked at the sleeping baby in my arms, my eyes burning with unshed tears.

Only now did I understand why Patricia had looked at the baby with such disgust when we left the hospital today. She thought the baby in my arms was Evelyn's son.

Earlier, she had switched my biological son and given him to Evelyn.

I pulled Nina tightly into my arms, my voice trembling. "You did the right thing, Nina. No one is allowed to take Oliver away from us. No one."

Just then, I heard Patricia talking on the phone in the living room. So, I went to the doorway and peeked through the crack.

There, I saw Patricia covering the receiver with a smug smile spreading across her wrinkled face.

"Evelyn, don't worry. Everything went perfectly. That bitch's healthy son is in your arms right now. I brought your baby with the congenital heart defect back to her.

"Once the baby's one-month celebration comes around, we can sit back and enjoy watching her make a fool of herself."

My gaze turned ice-cold as I listened to Patricia natter away.

Evelyn was Gabriel Montgomery's childhood sweetheart.

Three months ago, she had shown up at our door, obviously pregnant, and claimed she was carrying Gabriel's child.

Gabriel swore up and down that he had only slept with her because he was drunk and begged me to forgive him.

Patricia had even gotten down on her knees and begged me not to divorce him for Nina's sake.

Back then, I bought their lies. I never imagined they could be so vicious.

They had taken my healthy son and switched him for Evelyn's sickly baby.

I pushed open the door and walked out.

Patricia jumped in surprise and hurriedly hung up. "Do you always walk around without making a sound?"

I looked at her. "Patricia, who were you talking to?"

Patricia's eyes flickered. "Can't I call a relative to share the good news?"

I smiled. "Of course, you can. But I have this odd feeling that the baby you brought back resembles Evelyn the longer I look at him, Patricia."

The expression on Patricia's face froze, but she quickly recovered and snapped, "What nonsense are you talking about? He looks just like you. He has that same poor, shabby look like the one you're wearing now."

I didn't argue. Instead, I lowered my eyes to the baby in my arms as my lips quirked into a mocking smile.

As he should. After all, my own flesh and blood should look like me.

Chapter 2 The Wrong Thing to Say

The next morning, the sound of the keypad lock unlocking echoed through the house.

Gabriel walked in carrying his briefcase.

He looked exhausted. Judging from his bloodshot eyes, he had stayed up all night. However, I could smell the pungent smell of hospital disinfectant clinging to him, mixed with the scent of the perfume Evelyn always wore.

I sat on the couch, holding the baby, and sneered inwardly.

So much for a business trip; he had clearly gone to the hospital to keep vigil for his childhood sweetheart while she gave birth.

Patricia scurried out of the kitchen the moment she heard the door.

When she saw her son, her face immediately broke into a wide smile. She even straightened her hunched back. "Oh, Gabriel. Your business trip must have been exhausting."

Gabriel changed his shoes and gave her a perfunctory response.

Patricia turned to me, and the smile instantly disappeared from her face. She slammed the basin in her hands down by the bathroom door.

It was filled with several pieces of dirty clothes she had changed out of, with several pairs of underwear sitting right on top.

"Genevieve, what are you waiting for? Gabriel works so hard to support this family while you sit around at home all day. Hurry up and do the laundry! And make sure you scrub them by hand. The washing machine never gets them clean."

The unhealed incision in my abdomen still ached faintly.

I looked at Gabriel. He was staring down at his phone without even looking up.

It was as if he had not heard his mother deliberately making things difficult for a woman who had given birth to his son only a few days ago.

"Patricia, I just got out of the hospital. My incision hasn't healed yet, so I can't touch cold water."

The moment Patricia heard that, her voice rose into a shrill pitch. "Why are you acting so delicate? What woman doesn't go through this after giving birth? You gave birth to a useless daughter, and now you've given birth to a useless baby who's doomed to die young!

"You're just as worthless as he is. The only thing you're good for is waiting on me!"

My expression turned cold. I placed the baby on the couch and walked toward Patricia one step at a time.

"Patricia, what exactly do you mean by that? Oliver was born full-term through a normal delivery, and all his health checks were normal. His birth report clearly says he's perfectly healthy.

"Why do you keep saying he's doomed to die young? Are you suggesting that you know something I don't?"

Patricia took a step back under my piercing stare. Her eyes darted around as the corners of her mouth stiffened. "W-What could I possibly know? He just looks so skinny to me. I'm only saying as I see it."

"Saying as you see it? What grandmother would curse her own grandson by saying he's going to die young? If you're so insistent that something's wrong with Oliver, then fine."

I turned and headed toward the bedroom. "I'll call the hospital right now and schedule a full physical, especially his heart. That needs to be thoroughly checked."

The moment Patricia heard the word "heart," all the color drained from her face.

She thought the baby in my arms was Evelyn's son, the one born with congenital heart disease.

If we went to the hospital and they discovered that the baby really did have heart disease, then a thorough examination would expose the fact that she had secretly switched the babies when I wasn't looking.

Patricia rushed over and grabbed my arm, her nails digging hard into my flesh.

"Why bother? Hospitals are full of germs. How can you take such a baby there? Don't even think about it!"

I stared coldly at her trembling hand. "Let go. You said he was going to die young, didn't you? What if he really does have an underlying condition that was left unchecked? Patricia, why are you trying to stop me? Don't tell me you're feeling guilty about something."

Cold sweat broke out across Patricia's forehead. She stammered for a long time, unable to form a complete sentence.

I turned toward the man sitting on the couch. "Gabriel, what are you still sitting there for? We're going to the hospital."

Gabriel was rubbing his forehead irritably.

He had spent the past few days at the hospital with Evelyn, watching over that sickly baby who really did have heart disease. He was probably already mentally and physically exhausted.

So, he finally lost his temper after hearing me make such a fuss. "That's enough!"

He shot to his feet and grabbed the car keys from the coffee table. "You're always squabbling over nothing every damn day. Can't I have any peace and quiet in this house? I've already discussed with Evelyn that we'll hold one celebration for both babies' one-month celebration.

"I have work at the company. I'm leaving!"

And so, he stormed out and slammed the door behind him without looking back.

Patricia stared at the closed door before turning to look at my icy expression.

She swallowed and let out an arrogant snort. "Why go at all? It'll just cost our family more money if they do find out that something's wrong with the baby!"

She released my arm guiltily, rushed back to her room, and slammed the door shut.

I stood there, staring at the basin of dirty laundry on the floor, the corners of my lips curling upward.

A joint one-month celebration? That suited me just fine.

Chapter 3 The Perfect Family Act

The doorbell rang bright and early the next morning.

Patricia ran to answer it with a huge grin plastered across her face.

The moment the door opened, a strong wave of perfume hit me in the face.

Evelyn walked in wearing a fitted designer dress and high heels. She had a tightly swaddled baby in her arms. Meanwhile, Gabriel followed close behind her, carrying bags of all sizes.

The two of them chatted and laughed as they walked in, looking every bit like a family of three.

I sat on the couch, watching the whole show with cold eyes.

Evelyn glanced at me, a smug smile curling at the corners of her lips.

"Genevieve, I'm so sorry. Gabriel insisted on bringing me over for a visit. He said you'd been cooped up at home after having the baby, so he wanted me to bring my baby over to keep you company."

Gabriel set the bags down and immediately poured Evelyn a glass of warm water. "Evelyn just got out of the hospital. She's still weak, so don't make her stand."

Patricia was even more over the top. She immediately went over and carefully lifted one corner of the baby's swaddle. "Oh, my precious grandson… What a big, healthy boy! Just look at how sturdy he is!"

The look in Patricia's eyes was practically worshipful, as if she wanted to put the baby on a pedestal.

Evelyn covered her mouth and giggled sweetly, but her eyes drifted toward the baby in my arms.

"Genevieve, I heard your son was born weak. You'd better take good care of him. Wouldn't want him to be one of those sickly babies who don't survive, now would we?"

There was so much malice in her voice that she wasn't even hiding it at this point.

Gabriel frowned, but he looked at me with disgust instead of correcting Evelyn.

Patricia shot me a disdainful look, her voice dripping with contempt. "Look how well Evelyn has taken care of her baby. Then, look at you. You're walking around with a sour face all day. It's no wonder your baby looks like he was born sickly."

As I gazed at their smug faces, I found the whole thing utterly laughable in its absurdity.

They thought the healthy baby in Evelyn's arms was my son.

What they did not know was that the sickly baby they all despised was lying safe and sound in Evelyn's arms.

I deliberately tightened my hold on Oliver, making my eyes redden as I raised my voice. "Gabriel, what exactly do you mean? Oliver is your own flesh and blood. How can you curse your own son like that?"

I turned and stared hard at Patricia, accusation filling my eyes.

"Patricia, weren't you always saying you couldn't wait to hold your grandson? Now, I've given you the grandson you've always wanted. Why are you still not satisfied? You keep saying he's going to die young, that he's sickly and has no future."

I looked at them in confusion and hurt. "What exactly are you hiding from me? Why does everyone keep saying something's wrong with Oliver's health?"

The air in the living room froze the moment those words left my lips.

Patricia's smile stiffened. Her hand trembled, and she nearly knocked over her glass of water.

Gabriel's eyes flickered as well, and he instinctively shot a glance at Evelyn.

Evelyn's expression changed slightly, but she forced a smile and tried to smooth things over. "Genevieve, you're overthinking it. Mrs. Montgomery only means well."

I shot to my feet and moved toward Evelyn. "She means well? Is bringing another woman home supposed to be for my own good? Gabriel, have you forgotten who your legally wedded wife is?"

I deliberately made a huge scene, my voice shrill and choked with tears.

As expected, Gabriel panicked. He immediately stepped in front of Evelyn, shielding her from me.

"Genevieve, what the hell is wrong with you? Evelyn came here just to see you because she was being nice. Don't push your luck!"

Patricia had recovered as well. She pointed at me and launched into a furious tirade.

"You bring nothing but bad luck! You gave birth to a useless child, and now you have the nerve to blame me for it? If you don't want to stay in this family, then get out and go back to your parents' house!"

I looked at their furious faces, and the last bit of warmth in my heart finally turned to ice.

This was the man I had been married to for three years and the woman I had treated with respect for three years.

I was done playing along with them.

I carried Oliver back to the bedroom.

I could hear Gabriel speaking softly outside the door, coaxing Evelyn while Patricia's muffled curses rang out in the background.

I placed Oliver on the bed and looked at his sleeping little face as I let out a long breath. Then, I took out my phone and called my older brother, Sebastian.

He answered it quickly, "Genevieve, what's wrong?"

I stared at the harsh sunlight outside the window, my voice cold and devoid of any emotion. "Sebastian, I need you to look into something for me."

I stared at Gabriel's photo on the lock screen after ending the call. It was a picture of him kissing my pregnant belly.

How ironic. I moved my finger and deleted the photo.

'You all love putting on an act, don't you? Then, I'll play along and put on a good show with you. Once the baby's month-old celebration comes around, I'll give you all a gift you'll never forget.'

Chapter 4 The Truth

Both babies' one-month celebration was held at the most luxurious five-star hotel in the city.

Gabriel stood in the center of the banquet hall in a custom-tailored suit, looking like he was on top of the world.

Evelyn wore a fitted wine-red evening gown and leaned against him affectionately.

The baby in her arms was wrapped in a golden-thread swaddle.

Patricia had a huge smile on her face as she went around praising Evelyn's baby, telling everyone how blessed the child was.

They looked like a real family.

I sat alone on a chair in the corner, holding Oliver in my arms. All I could hear were the guests' insincere congratulations drifting into my ears.

Patricia walked over with a wineglass in hand, swaying her hips as she approached me. The wrinkles on her face twisted with undisguised malice.

"Well, well. You're still carrying that little sickly thing who's going to die young?"

She lowered her voice and leaned close to my ear, whispering maliciously, "You should have left him at home instead of bringing him out here to embarrass yourself if he has a heart condition.

"He's just a bastard whose origins nobody even knows, and now he can only be part of our family's celebration by riding on the coattails of our precious grandson."

I stroked Oliver's warm, chubby cheek. His eyes were closed as he smacked his lips in his sleep.

I raised my eyes and looked at Patricia's smug face. Then, I calmly stood up. "Patricia, are you getting senile? Who told you my baby has a heart condition?"

My voice was not loud, but it was just loud enough for everyone nearby to hear. The noisy banquet hall fell silent for a moment.

The smile on Patricia's face turned plastic.

Gabriel and Evelyn were also drawn over by the commotion and hurried toward us.

The surrounding guests stopped talking and turned to watch.

I unzipped my bag and pulled out a medical report bearing the downtown hospital's official seal. Then, I tossed it onto the table in front of Patricia.

"Read it carefully. All his test results came back normal. His echocardiogram shows no problems whatsoever."

Patricia stared at me in disbelief and snatched up the report.

Gabriel's expression darkened as he grabbed it from her. His eyes were fixed on the words printed in black and white.

Evelyn leaned over to look as well, and the color drained from her rosy cheeks in an instant.

The expressions on all three of their faces were priceless.

The sickly baby they had given me was supposed to have a congenital heart condition. So, how had he suddenly become perfectly healthy?

I had been preparing for this day, going through my plans over and over.

Sebastian had gotten me Evelyn's baby's blood type and other vital statistics from the time he was born.

So, I had flawlessly incorporated that information into the medical report.

It would prove that the baby in my arms was perfectly healthy while making it impossible for them to realize that the babies had already been switched back.

Gabriel flipped to the last page of the report, his eyes stopping on the blood type. The tension in his jaw visibly eased as he quietly let out a breath.

He thought the baby was still the one Evelyn had given birth to, only that he miraculously no longer had a heart condition.

Patricia stammered, so flustered that she even got lipstick on her teeth, "T-This… This can't be. The doctor clearly said…"

"Said what?" I stepped closer and stared straight into her eyes. "Patricia, it's interesting how you seem to know more about my son's health than I do."

Patricia was left speechless and quickly turned to Gabriel for help.

Gabriel cleared his throat and handed the report back to me. "Mom was just worried, and she got carried away. The most important thing is that the baby is healthy."

He turned to Evelyn, his eyes full of reassurance.

However, Evelyn's expression suddenly turned odd. She looked at the sleeping Oliver in my arms, and then lowered her head to look at the baby in her own arms.

A series of complicated emotions flashed through her eyes. There was regret, resentment, and unmistakable greed.

If the sick baby in my arms was actually healthy, then had she actually gotten the short end of the deal by keeping the healthy baby?

The thought had barely crossed Evelyn's mind when she suddenly spoke. "Genevieve, can I hold your baby?"

I smiled and refused her. "No."

Evelyn grew agitated. "Give him back to me. That's not your baby. He is my son!"

She lunged forward and tried to snatch him from me.

I took a step back and looked at her in confusion. "Ms. Reed, what are you talking about? I don't understand."

Evelyn let out a laugh. "The baby you're holding is my son. Give him back to me right now, or I'll kill your son!"

I looked at her through tear-filled eyes. "Ms. Reed, what are you talking about? My son is right here in my arms. Are you sick? Have you lost touch with reality?"

Evelyn lifted the baby in her arms and glared at me threateningly.

"Genevieve, I'll tell you the truth. Your mother-in-law switched the baby you're holding a while back. The one I'm holding is actually your son! If you don't want him to die, give my son back to me right now!"

I stared at her in disbelief. "Ms. Reed, stop joking around. I told you, the baby in my arms is my son."

When she saw that I still refused to give him to her, she completely lost her temper. "Genevieve, you bitch! I'll make you regret this!"

Once she leveled those dark words at me, she viciously slammed the baby in her arms onto the floor.