Chapter 2

Thankfully, fate had given me a second chance.

I let out a long, shaky breath, my hand resting on my swollen belly, eyes filled with determination.

This time, I would never repeat my past mistakes.

Even if I have to risk my life, I will protect my child and my family, no matter what.

I tried hard to keep my emotions in check, my mind racing.

Back in my previous life, it was my first time having a baby, and I had no clue what to expect.

I was nervous and scared, so a few days before, I asked Damien if my parents could come to the hospital to support me during labor.

But he just called me immature.

He said, "Your parents are old. Aren't you worried about them getting exhausted from all that traveling? If something goes wrong, don't expect me to handle it. If you want them here, you take care of it yourself.

"And don't even think about giving them money for their train tickets. They didn't help at all with your delivery, and now you want me to pay for them?"

Back then, I was broken, and his words made me want to crawl into a hole.

Looking back now, it was clear Damien was afraid that if my parents showed up, he and his family wouldn't be able to pull off their plan to swap my baby.

I glanced at the clock on the wall.

If everything went as expected, I'd go into labor around eight tonight. That meant I had a little over five hours left.

I had to get word to my parents in the poor village and made sure they arrived before eight.

I snapped back and said, "Honey, the disinfectant in here is so strong I can barely breathe. I need to step out for some fresh air. I'll be back soon."

I thought I'd have to talk him into it, but clearly, I was kidding myself about how much Damien cared.

He didn't even turn his head, just waved me off, totally annoyed.

"Always making a fuss. Just go and come back quick," he grumbled.

He couldn't even spare me a single glance, even with my huge belly.

In the past, I would have been hurt and definitely ended up arguing with Damien about it.

But now, I just scoffed, not even bothering to waste my breath.

I walked out of the hospital room and headed straight to the front desk. There, I called the village's shared phone.

When I heard the familiar voice of Charlie, the village chief, on the line, my eyes stung with tears for a moment.

I took a deep breath, quickly explained the situation.

"Charlie, it's Priscilla. I'm having my baby today. Please help me tell my parents. They need to get to the county hospital before eight tonight. It's really important."

Charlie heard the urgency in my voice and promised to let them know right away.

After hanging up, I finally let out a sigh of relief.

I just hoped my parents would make it in time.

After a quick think, I decided to cover my bases and come up with a plan B.

I found a nurse on duty and asked her to help me move to a different room.

This time, as long as I wasn't sharing a room with Meadow and our delivery times didn't overlap, let's see how they plan to pull off their baby swap.

Just when I was about to get the room change sorted out, a voice suddenly called out from behind me.

She said, "There you are, my dear Priscilla."

I turned around and saw Phoebe, her smile never touching her eyes. Right then, I knew trouble was coming.

In my previous life, Phoebe learned about Meadow's background. Her mom had married a sixty-year-old businessman in the city who ran a big factory. With no sons to inherit, Meadow was set to get almost everything.

Because of that, Phoebe was constantly buttering up Meadow, desperate to stay on her good side.

When it came to swapping my baby and scheming for my family's money, Phoebe was always plotting and pulling shady moves.

As soon as Phoebe saw the unfinished room change paperwork on the nurse's desk, she immediately put on a show, dabbing at her eyes and starting to sob.

"Damien said you were feeling stuffy and uncomfortable in your room, so I figured you'd end up here. It's all because our family isn't well-off. We just can't get you a private room.

"But don't you worry, my child. Even if I have to sell the pots and pans, I'll make sure you have the best environment to give birth," she wailed.

Phoebe's dramatic crying quickly drew a crowd.

I tried to speak up, but the crowd's accusations drowned out my words, calling me dramatic and saying I was just making trouble for no reason.

Even the nurse jumped in. "She treats you like her own daughter and does everything she can for you. Why are you being so difficult and spending money like it's nothing? Rooms are tight right now, so we can't give you a new one."

I watched as the nurse crumpled up the transfer form and tossed it right into the trash.

My heart plummeted.

And I couldn't miss the triumphant grin on Phoebe's face.

"Priscilla, the doctor said you could go into labor any minute now. Stop acting childish. I won't hold it against you this time. Just lie down and rest up for the delivery," Phoebe said, her voice dripping with false concern.