Chapter 1
“Cassidy, did you know that the baby you’re carrying is Nathan’s and mine?” Meredith Jensen said with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, her words hitting Cassidy like a ton of bricks.
“What did you say?” Cassidy felt a stabbing pain in her lower abdomen and curled up helplessly, trembling as she stared blankly at Meredith, who stood by the bed.
Meredith smiled down at Cassidy. “Because of my heart disease, Nathan didn’t want me to risk a pregnancy. So, we implanted our embryos into your body.”
Cassidy’s eyes widened with despair and confusion. “No! That’s impossible! The baby I’m carrying is Nathan’s and mine! How can it be yours? I don’t believe you….
Meredith snickered. “If you don’t believe me, go ask Nathan yourself. He kept it from you because he was afraid your emotions would affect the baby. To him, you’re just a tool.”
That’s impossible!” Cassidy’s mind reeled in shock as she felt the pain in her abdomen worsened. She clutched her belly, beads of cold sweat forming on her forehead. The strange agony made her realize something was terribly wrong. “What… did the doctor inject me with earlier?”
“Pitocin,” Meredith smiled, innocent and cruel. “My birthday’s coming up tomorrow, and Nathan’s going to pop the question. I thought it’d be a kick having my baby’s birthday match mine. Don’t you agree?”
Cassidy couldn’t believe her ears. “Meredith, how can you be so cruel!” She was just five days away from her 37th week of pregnancy, and she couldn’t believe Meredith did something like that just because she wanted the baby to share her birthday.
Meredith shrugged it off. “Since the baby in your womb is mine, I get to call the shots on when they enter the world.”
“1… I won’t let you have your way? Cassidy struggled to get out of bed, and enduring the intense pain in her abdomen, she fled the room. I’ve carried this child for ten months, and they are my own flesh and blood. I won’t let Meredith take them! I’ve already given her far too much!” she thought
Cassidy and Meredith were born on the same day, in the same delivery room, but their fates were drastically different. Meredith was the heiress of the Jensen family, while Cassidy was the daughter of a humble club dancer. Yet, unbeknownst to all, their lives had been switched at birth.
Sienna Lynch, Meredith’s biological mother, was a club dancer with a chaotic private life. To prevent her child from suffering, Sienna secretly swapped the babies. Cassidy was taken home by Sienna, facing ten difficult years of struggle, while Meredith grew up basking in the wealth and grandeur of the Jensen family for a full decade.
When Meredith was ten, she suffered a heart attack. During the Jensen family’s investigation, they uncovered the truth that Meredith wasn’t their blood. Cassidy was brought back, but they couldn’t bear to let Meredith go.
For years, Meredith lived a life of privilege, surrounded by unending love and care. Her delicate health often gave her the upper hand in any situation. Cassidy never dared to vie for what Meredith had–she knew she couldn’t win.
At eighteen, Cassidy had gotten engaged to Nathan Howell, believing herself fortunate to marry him. Little did she know, it was all her wishful thinking.
Now, Cassidy dashed to the garage clutching her stomach in pain. With trembling hands, she started the car and sped away into the rainy night. Suddenly, a beam of light pierced through the darkness and the downpour, and a Maybach halted directly in front of her car.
The car gleamed in the dark as a pair of slender legs emerged gracefully from beneath its door. A tall and imposing figure, clad in a sharply tailored black suit, stepped out, exuding an aloof aura. He tipped his black umbrella slightly, revealing his exquisite side profile. Nathan Howell, with his meticulously trimmed hair and impeccably shaped eyebrows, cut a striking figure in the rain.
Nathan… Cassidy whispered his name inwardly. She had never expected the man she loved for nine years to be so fickle. Nine years of love and devotion had been met with a harsh reality–being reduced to a tool for reproduction. Tears streamed down Cassidy’s face as she opened her eyes.
“Mr. Howell, it’s Ms. Jensen,” Nathan’s driver prompted.
Nathan glanced at Cassidy, his eyebrows arching, before he quickly strode over.
0
Chapter 1
Cassidy gritted her teeth and locked the car door the moment Nathan approached.
“Cassidy Unlock the door Nathan’s voice held a note of confusion.
Staring straight ahead and not even looking at him, Cassidy lowered the window slightly and asked coldly, “Nathan, is the baby in my stomach really mine?”
Nathan’s handsome face clouded over, his brow furrowing deeply, yet he remained silent.
“How long were you planning to hide it from me? Am I just a breeding tool in your eyes?” Cassidy questioned
“Nathan!” Meredith’s voice rang out affectionately as she suddenly appeared and rushed toward Nathan in the rain. Nathan turned toward the sound, instinctively lifting his arms to embrace her..
Meredith threw herself into his arms, holding him tightly. “Nathan, I can’t sleep alone. I’m scared. Can you stay with me?”
The
scene shattered Cassidy’s heart into countless pieces. From her angle, all she could see was Nathan’s love and tenderness toward Meredith. Gripping the steering wheel tightly, Cassidy gazed at him with desperation, feeling like he was a complete stranger.
“What am I to you, Nathan?‘ Cassidy pondered as she suddenly pressed down on the accelerator. The engine roared to life. propelling the car forward with force.
“Cassidy!” Nathan’s shocked voice faded behind her as she sped away. Cassidy pushed harder on the gas pedal, weaved through traffic, and raced down National Highway.
Behind her, Nathan’s Maybach swiftly closed the distance. He honked urgently and shouted, “Cassidy, stop!”
However, Cassidy seemed oblivious to his calls. She slammed her foot on the accelerator, and the speedometer needle shot up to 100 miles per hour.
Meanwhile, at the intersection, a 30–foot semi–trailer truck suddenly veered left, and a thunderous crash sounded.
The impact sent powerful shockwaves through Cassidy’s car, and the airbag struck her face painfully, causing her to black out instantly.
