Chapter 3
Nina took a step back, tears streaming down her face.
"Siena, I know you've never liked me. But the baby hasn't done anything wrong. How could you say something like that?" Nina said.
My parents looked at me with nothing but impatience.
My mom snapped, "Siena, you've only been back with the Fairfax family for a few years. Nina gave up her identity, her room, and her shares for you.
"Are you really trying to drive her to despair?"
A metallic taste of blood rose in my throat.
I asked them, my voice rough, "I'm your real daughter. I don't expect you to treat me well.
"But after everything you went through with the baby swap, are you really going to make me go through the heartbreak of losing my own child, too?"
The silence in the hospital room was deafening.
Ethan's mother, Charlotte Everhart, frowned at me.
"Siena, you're Ethan's wife. No one can take that away from you. Nina doesn't have any official status. She's already been through so much," Charlotte said.
I couldn't help but laugh at how absurd that was.
"So my daughter is just supposed to be ripped away from me?" I fired back.
Ethan stepped forward, trying to snatch the baby from the nurse's arms.
I grabbed my daughter and held her close to me.
She was so soft, like a little bundle of warmth.
She let out a tiny cry, pressing herself against my chest.
My eyes finally burned with tears.
This time, I finally got to hold her.
"If anyone dares to touch her, I'll call the police," I warned.
Ethan's eyes flashed with barely contained rage.
"You're emotionally unstable right now. I'll have the doctor give you a sedative," he said coldly.
I saw the doctor hesitantly pick up the syringe.
In my previous life, that was exactly how they made me sleep.
When I woke up, the baby in my arms had already been replaced by the one with the red birthmark.
Frantically, I searched under my pillow for my phone, panic flooding my chest.
Without thinking, I dialed a number.
I gripped the phone in my palm like my life depended on it, my nails splitting and streaks of blood smearing the screen.
Finally, the call connected.
A man's deep, steady voice came on the line. "Siena?"
My throat tightened.
"Anthony, help me," I choked out.
I hugged my daughter even tighter.
"They're trying to switch my baby," I said, my voice trembling.
There was a heavy pause on the other end.
Then, Anthony Johnston said, "Don't be afraid. I'm flying back right now. I'll come get you."
Ethan grabbed the phone right out of my hand and hurled it against the wall.
The screen splintered. The display went dark.
His eyes were full of anxiety and unease, as if he was losing control for the very first time.
"Who is Anthony?" he demanded.
Suddenly, Nina clutched her chest and swayed.
My mother hurried to steady her.
"Nina!"
Ethan turned to her as well.
He leaned in, pulling her coat snug around her shoulders, his voice gentle.
"Don't be afraid. I'm here," he said.
Watching that scene, a chill crept through my fingertips, and my heart slowly turned cold.
I had just given birth.
My body was still bleeding from the delivery.
But he didn't even notice.
All he saw was Nina frowning.