Chapter 2

"My son is different. He's destined to be wealthy—one day he'll be a big boss.

"Cindy, we're sisters. Let me give you some advice—while you're still young, hurry up and have another baby. Otherwise, that little thug of yours will wreak havoc in your life. When he beats the two of you crippled, no one will even care."

Judy Cassatt's mocking voice scraped at my nerves, and my nails dug into my palm.

If she hadn't beaten and scolded Axel every day… If she hadn't forced him to drop out of school in junior high to go work… How would he have ended up wandering the streets, refusing even to return home?

The day Judy killed me was also the day I learned the truth about the baby swap.

The shock of discovering that the child I'd raised for twenty-five years wasn't mine left my mind in chaos. I wanted to confront Judy, question the hospital director, and find Phillip for answers.

But more than anything, I wanted to find Axel—my real son, whom Judy had abused for so many years.

I never got the chance. Before I could reach him, I died beneath Judy's van.

Her mocking tone now made my husband roll up his sleeves, ready to rush forward and hit her.

My parents jumped in to stop him.

My brother-in-law, Ronald Atkins, wasn't pleased either. He snorted.

"Judy was just joking. Why are you reacting like this? Having relatives like you is what's embarrassing—"

He didn't finish his sentence. My husband's temper flared, and he punched him square in the face. He was lifting his fist for another blow when I grabbed his arm.

"Let it go, Nate."

With this second chance at life, all I wanted was to properly make up for my poor son. As for Judy, I'd deal with her eventually—but there was no rush.

That night, we completed the transfer to another hospital. While packing up in the hospital room, I overheard whispers from behind the curtain next door.

My sister tried to lower her voice, but her excitement was impossible to hide.

"I've been reborn. My son, Phillip, will become a big boss in the future."

At first, the others didn't believe her. But as she described everything vividly, their eyes gradually reddened with greed. After all, who wouldn't be tempted by the idea of living in a luxurious villa and becoming effortlessly wealthy?

My parents took turns holding Phillip, calling him their sweet, precious grandson.

Ronald slapped his thigh in delight, grinning so wide his face could barely contain it.

"That's my boy. He has a bright future."

But when the topic shifted to me, Judy's expression turned smug.

"Cindy's son will grow up to become a street thug."

My father frowned. "Then we should keep our distance from them. It'll be trouble if he clings to us."

My mother quickly chimed in, "When Phillip grows older, let's send him to a good school. We can't let him be influenced by Cindy's son."

Standing outside the curtain, I heard every word clearly.

Did she really believe Phillip became a CEO because of his own abilities?

In my previous life, I'd already been suspicious. How could two honest, hardworking people like Nate and me give birth to someone as cold and self-centered as Phillip?

He didn't acknowledge Judy as his birth mother—but if not for the fact that I controlled most of the company's shares, he wouldn't have treated me well either. Forget villas and world tours.

But I welcomed the distance between us. The farther away, the better.

Hearing them still whispering behind the curtain, I tossed the lukewarm bowl of porridge straight inside.

I didn't bother to look at their shocked faces as I turned and walked out of the room.

And this was only the first gift I planned to give Judy.