The Student I Sponsored Swapped My Child

Kind people get used. Easy targets get trampled.

Not this time. They won’t get anything from me.

Not even a single sip of my herbal tonic!

I shot Lily a calm look and said, “The doctor prescribed this glucose water specifically for my body type. Your constitution is different from mine. It might cause side effects if you drink it.”

Hearing the words side effects, Lily finally gave up, but her eyes stayed glued to me, watching my every move.

When she noticed me using my phone, she pried, “Ria, who are you texting? Isn’t Carter already on his way? And your parents are out of country, so they won’t be back anytime soon.”

She was monitoring me.

It was so obvious and yet in my past life, I actually thought she was just worried about me. I even felt touched.

Now? Her fake concern made my skin crawl. This was premeditated, through and through.

I played it off casually. “Oh, my best friend just happens to be nearby. She heard I’m in labor and wanted to drop by to check on me.”

Lily’s expression stiffened. She snapped, “The baby’s not even born yet. What’s there to see? Tell her to go back!”

Realizing her tone was too harsh, she quickly tried to cover it up.

“Ria, I’m already here with you! You’re in good hands. Nothing’s going to happen. Your friend doesn’t need to be here.

“Besides, it’s not a good idea to have outsiders in the maternity ward. It’s a sensitive environment, and what if she brings in germs or causes a disruption? That could put us both at risk.”

Her excuses sounded so righteous, so reasonable.

In my past life, I fell for it. I trusted her. And it cost me everything—my child, my family, my life.

But not this time.

Just as I opened my mouth to respond, the door swung open.

Nina walked in and snapped back.

“Hospital policy says family members are allowed. What, they’re magically germ-free, but I’m not?”

Lily’s expression instantly darkened, and her eyes flashed with panic.

The two of them had met before, but they never got along.

Nina saw through Lily from day one. She always thought Lily was a schemer—calculating, petty, and always trying to take advantage of others. Not a good person.

Lily, on the other hand, couldn’t stand Nina. She would mock her for having short, boyish hair and acting rough and carefree. She even called her a freak behind her back and warned me more than once to stay away from her.

But one night, everything changed.

We were out for barbecue when three drunk men started causing trouble. Lily watched, wide-eyed, as Nina took down all three of them alone.

From that day on, Lily never dared badmouth her again.

*

With Nina here, Lily immediately toned down her act. She stopped openly watching my every move.

I felt half the weight lift off my chest.

But suddenly, my stomach seized with a sharp, wrenching pain. I gripped Nina’s hand tightly and gasped,

“Hey, you needed to use the bathroom, right? I’ll come with you.”

Nina froze for a split second before catching on. She quickly played along,

“Yeah! I was dying to pee on the way here. Come on, let’s go.”

Lily jumped up immediately,

“Wait! I’ll come with you.”

Nina’s eyes narrowed, and she shot Lily a sharp glare.

“Why are you tagging along? What, you afraid I’ll frame you for something if you’re not watching me? Or are you just hoping something happens to me so you can blame it on me?”

Her words hit hard—blunt, direct, and cutting.

Lily’s face twisted with anger, but she had no comeback. She forced a stiff smile,

“I’m not that kind of person! Ria, just don’t take too long. If something happens on the way, it'll be trouble for everyone.”

Yeah—trouble for her.

*

Once we stepped out of the room, I clutched my belly through the pain and whispered urgently to Nina,

“Get me transferred to a private room. I’m about to give birth.”

Nina didn’t ask why. She just helped me into a chair and dashed off to the front desk to handle the transfer.

Meanwhile, I pulled out my phone and called my parents.

“Mom, Dad—come back. Right now.”

I knew what was coming. After giving birth, I would be weak, bedridden, and helpless.

Only with my parents watching over my baby could I be at peace.

The transfer was quick.

Soon, I was in a private room—just me, a single bed, my own bathroom, and a nurse on standby.

Finally, I exhaled and felt a shred of relief.

Then my phone blew up.

It was my husband, Carter Scott, calling.

There were also seven or eight text messages—all demanding to know where I was and frantically asking if I had given birth yet.