Chapter 2
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“When I came out of the bathroom, I didn’t see you. I thought you must have gone to the car first. Who’s this? A friend of yours?” I smiled at Nova, hoping Isaac wouldn’t notice my unease. He didn’t, and I breathed a sigh of relief.
Isaac shook his head. “Not really. I was just asking about some insurance details. Let’s go, honey. I’ve already arranged the ward, and we’re going for the C–section this afternoon. By the way, our neighbor Maria lives next door. You two might end up giving birth around the same time.”
Back in the room, Isaac walked in carrying fruit. My palms were sweating from nervousness.
Isaac said, “Honey, that’s too much fruit. Could you send some over to Maria? Since we’re neighbors, it’d be nice to share.”
I remembered the same moment from my previous life–Isaac had asked me to deliver fruit to Maria, but I ended up running into Maria’s husband, Hugh Watson.
Hugh was a sailor, often away for long stretches. Isaac had taken advantage of Hugh’s absence to sleep with Maria, and when Hugh came home two months later, Maria was already
pregnant.
To avoid raising suspicion, they delayed the birth until now, even though Maria’s due date had been last month. They both
Chapter 2
knew the truth: the baby in Maria’s womb had died from lack of oxygen.
They needed to swap my healthy baby with hers, or Hugh would definitely get suspicious if she gave birth to a stillborn.
When I went to deliver the fruit, Maria would intentionally fall and blame me. Hugh had a fiery temper, and when he saw the scene, he would kick me, causing me to bleed and premature labor.
go
into
In the chaos, Isaac would take the opportunity to steal my child. If I just delivered the fruit, I would be heading straight for the same tragic fate as last time.
“Okay.” I tried to stay calm, took the fruit, and headed out.
But then I turned back, waiting for Isaac to pack my things. I quickly took a video and posted it to Instagram. Isaac, looking uncomfortable, tried to stop me. “Why post this? We’re old married folks. What’s the point?”
I immediately acted annoyed. Tm about to give birth, and you won’t even let me post a sweet selfie? You’re grounded for the day!”
I quickly left, locking the hospital room door behind me, ignoring Isaac’s attempts to knock.
I knocked on Maria’s door, supporting my pregnant belly.
Maria struggled to open the door. During her entire pregnancy,
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Chapter 2
she’d been eating the nutrition supplements Isaac had stolen from my cupboard, making her belly swell unnaturally large.
“Laura, you’re here.” Maria glared at my belly with hatred, looking like she wanted to slice me open right then and there.
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I kept my distance, prepared for her tricks. But even so, Maria deliberately threw herself to the ground, raising her voice to scream, “Help! Someone, help! Hugh! Laura pushed me!”
B
