Chapter 1

When I was five, my fiancée was born.

I went with my parents to visit her at the hospital and saw the nanny switching her with another baby from the next room.

I switched her back, on instinct.

Years later, that same nanny crashed our engagement party. She shoved a trembling girl toward us, laughing like a maniac, and snatched the list of engagement gifts.

"It's my daughter who's marrying the Carter heir, and all this belongs to me.

"Guess what? The girls were switched right after they were born.

"Why is your daughter living like a princess while mine grows up with nothing?

"Here, this is the real daughter of the Stone family."

The room fell silent, and everyone was shocked.

I just stood there, calm as ever, meeting her eyes.

I said, "Yeah, but I saw it. And I switched them back.

"Jennifer, the girl you brought back is your own daughter. They were never switched."

My mom, Fiona Carter, looked at me and said, "Matthew, we're going to the hospital to visit Mrs. Stone and Isabelle. Hurry up and get ready."

I, however, couldn't take my eyes off the pudding on my plate.

"Mom, can I finish my pudding before we go?" I begged, really not wanting to leave it behind.

Sunday was the one day I got to have pudding.

My mom couldn't wait any longer. She grabbed me by the collar and hauled me up, practically dragging me out the door.

She said, "No, you can't. Mrs. Stone is alone in the hospital. What if her ex-husband goes and yells at her?

"Now, immediately, get in the car."

I nodded and slowly put on my shoes, climbing into the car, my curiosity about Isabelle Stone, whom I had never seen before, quietly growing.

"Mom, what does fiancée mean?" I asked.

My mom just gave me the classic glare and ignored me.

Then I asked my dad the same question.

He was driving, and without hesitation, he said, "I don't know."

I shrugged it off and pressed my face against the car window, looking outside. I didn't notice the small sighs of relief escaping my parents.

As soon as we walked into Margaret's ward, my mom rushed straight over to the crib, and I followed her in.

There was a baby girl inside, eyes shut tight and fast asleep. She was so soft and adorable.

I really wanted her to open her eyes and look at me, so I started breathing loudly, trying to act all casual about it.

However, she didn't open her eyes.

I shuffled along behind my parents, mumbling a greeting to Margaret. "Hi, Mrs. Stone."

While my parents and Margaret were talking, I reached over to the crib, carefully wiped my hands, and gently poked her cheek.

It was softer than I expected.

I tiptoed and carefully placed a piece of chocolate next to her tiny fist.

Soon, the chocolate melted, leaving a smear all over her pink clothes.

I tried to wipe it off, but the more I rubbed, the more it spread. Pretty soon, even her blanket was smeared with chocolate.

I snatched my hand back, looking around nervously, hoping nobody had caught me in the act.

Oh, no.

Thankfully, my parents and Margaret were too busy chatting to notice me. I stayed crouched by the cradle, heart pounding, until my parents finally called me to go home. Even then, I was afraid they'd find out what I'd done.

Margaret gave me a playful look and said, "Matthew, you like Isabelle, don't you? Do you want to come and live with us?"

I lived right next door to Margaret.

I nodded right away. "Sure. I'd like to."

If I moved in with Margaret, I could help wash Isabelle's clothes and look after her.

Since I made a mistake, I should try to fix it.

My mom glared at me. "Matthew, why don't you just spend the night here, taking care of Mrs. Stone?"

I thought for a moment and looked at her seriously.

"Can I go home and finish my pudding first, and then come back?" I asked.

My mom was speechless. "Absolutely not.

"You'd just be making trouble for Margaret here. You can help look after Isabelle once they're back home."

I glanced back at Isabelle, torn between longing and guilt.

"Okay then, I'll come visit Isabelle tomorrow," I replied, a bit reluctantly.

I decided to dig out some clothes at home and bring them over to make up for messing up hers.

Before we left the room, I noticed Margaret had closed her eyes, looking like she was already asleep.

As we turned the corner, my mom raised her eyebrows at me, suspicious.

"You've been awfully quiet today. Did you get into trouble?" she demanded.

Then she suddenly raised her voice. "School starts tomorrow. Don't tell me you haven't finished your homework."

I stuck out my chin, trying to sound way more confident than I felt. "I already have.

"Mom, I think I left something in Mrs. Stone's ward. Can I go back and get it?"

I couldn't help thinking about the stains on Isabelle's clothes. I had to apologize to Mrs. Stone.

My mom just stared off in a certain direction.

She said, "Simon Carter, I just saw Margaret's ex-husband. Let's see what he's up to.

"Matthew, stay in Mrs. Stone's ward. Your dad and I will come get you later. Be quiet and don't bother her while she's asleep."

She wanted to see what Margaret's ex-husband, Brian Goodwin, was doing at the hospital.

Before I could say anything, my mom had already grabbed my dad and stormed off.

I had to head back by myself, only to see a woman walking out of Margaret's ward holding a baby.

I remember clearly that the room had only Margaret and Isabelle.

I locked my eyes on her, holding my breath, watching as she carried the baby straight into the room next door and then came out.

Oh no, Isabelle was stolen. That woman took her.