Chapter 3

In the hospital room, Phoebe practically dragged me onto the bed.

Her grip on my wrist was so tight it hurt, and I couldn't move at all.

Looking at her smile that never reached her eyes, despair gradually enveloped my whole body. It seemed that even if I lived this life again, I still couldn't escape the tragic fate of my previous life.

Just as I was desperately trying to figure out what to do, a sudden wail pierced the air.

"My stomach hurts so much," someone cried out.

My drifting thoughts snapped back, and I turned toward the source of the sound.

Turns out, unlike last time, I didn't throw a jealous tantrum when Damien was feeding Meadow soup, so the soup didn't end up all over the floor.

This time, Meadow actually drank all the soup, which meant she kept making trips to the bathroom.

Back in my previous life, Phoebe would always help Meadow out whenever she needed to use the bathroom, so nothing ever went wrong.

But just now, Phoebe had gone out to look for me, and Damien couldn't just step in and help her out. With no one around, Meadow didn't notice the puddle in front of the bathroom door, stepped right on it, and took a nasty fall.

When I saw Meadow's water break, I couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement.

Since Meadow had given birth prematurely, it meant I could deliver at a different time, and my child wouldn't be switched.

But my excitement barely lasted a few seconds before Phoebe's cold, cutting words smacked me back to reality.

"Doctor, it's an auspicious moment. Priscilla should deliver at the same time," Phoebe said, her voice icy.

With that, Phoebe shot Damien a look. Before I could react, they both held me down.

Phoebe shouted, "We're her family. Give her the induction shot now."

I thrashed and shook my head wildly, panic rising in my chest as I screamed, "Somebody, please. I don't want the shot."

"You can't force a pregnant woman against her will," I yelled, desperate for someone to listen.

I knew exactly what would happen if they gave me that shot. There was no way I could let it happen.

When Phoebe saw someone lingering outside the door, she deliberately raised her voice, making sure they could hear her.

"Priscilla, honey, I know you're scared, but every woman has to go through this. Don't be so difficult, okay? I've already got the best doctor lined up for you.

"Damien and I will be right here with you, so nothing's going to happen," Phoebe called out, her voice sweet but obviously for show.

The people at the door figured it was just some family drama and just walked off, not bothering to stick around.

As the doctor closed in with the induction shot, panic blazed inside me. I don't know where the strength came from, but I rammed my head into Phoebe and managed to shake off Damien's hold.

Gritting my teeth against the pain in my forehead, I hurried to the window and flung it open.

A cool breeze rushed in, helping me calm down a little.

My parents definitely wouldn't make it in time. I had to figure out a way to save myself.

Damien and the others lunged toward me, trying to grab hold of me.

I hauled myself with all my strength to the window, desperate and wild.

As everyone gasped in shock, I glared at Damien and the rest, my eyes full of menace.

"Don't come any closer. Back off. I'm not taking that induction shot. Put it down, or I'll jump right now. It'll be two lives lost. Phoebe, forget about holding your precious grandson.

"And if anything happens to me, it'll be the doctor and the hospital whose reputations get trashed. You all better think twice," I shouted, my voice trembling with fury.

Maybe my fierce stance really did intimidate them.

Damien and the others just stood there, frozen, not daring to move closer. I secretly breathed a sigh of relief, my heart finally settling down a little.

But just then, a wave of agonizing contractions tore through my lower belly.

All that struggling and panic had pushed my body past its limit. My body betrayed me, and I was going into labor right now.

While I was writhing in pain, Damien and Phoebe shot each other a look, then quickly pulled me away from the window. With the doctor's help, they rushed me right up to the delivery room.

They tried to come in after me, but the doctor blocked their way.

"This is a restricted area. Only medical staff are allowed inside," the doctor said with authority.

Hearing that, my nerves finally eased up a bit.

It looked like the doctors weren't teaming up with Damien and Phoebe after all.

But the moment I saw the delivery nurse's familiar eyes, a strong sense of foreboding gripped me.

No wonder they were so confident.

The nurse in the delivery room was actually Damien's sister, Lisa Carter.

I'd always spoiled her like my own sister.

In that moment, as the delivery room door slowly shut behind me, I felt a suffocating wave of despair closing in.

It was like hopelessness was eating me alive, gnawing away at every last bit of strength I had.