All Chapters of A Life Left Behind: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

8 Chapters

Chapter 1

The wails of a child tore me from sleep."Look at our son, Lily. Isn't he just precious?"Derick smilingly cradled a baby in his arms, standing at the foot of my hospital bed.Blinking away confusion, I took in Derick's youthful features and realized: I had been given a second chance at life.I had come back to the very day they had taken my child from me.The thought fueled a surge of adrenaline that pushed the pain aside. I reached out, desperate to take the baby from Derick."Hand him over to me, now!""Okay, okay, easy there, dear." With a smile still playing on his lips, Derick passed the baby into my arms.I wasted no time peeling back the swaddle to inspect his thigh. There it was, a faint birthmark.This child was not mine.He was the secret offspring of Derick and Jasmine!Rage bubbled up inside me.Derick, oblivious, continued his charade. "Look at those long legs; he's got that from you! He's going to be a model, and not just that, a formidable Mafia boss one day

Chapter 2

Back in my room with the baby in my arms, Derick and Jasmine came strolling in.Jasmine's gaze clung to my son the second she walked in, her face lighting up."Lily's kid sure is a looker! Spitting image of his mom!"I could not help but let out a scoff, pulling the blanket tighter around my baby, shielding him from her prying eyes.Jasmine could not contain her shock."Lily, why on earth are you swaddling the baby in cotton? It's so rough and cheap, it could scratch his delicate skin. Here, take my silk blankets instead!"She was quick to flaunt her pricey silk quilts and garments, reaching out to take my baby into her arms.I brushed her hand aside, my voice icy. "He's my son. I'll look after him my way."Jasmine paused, a flicker of irritation passing through her gaze before she masked it with a grin. "But of course, Lily, the queen bee with all the cash and clout. Naturally, you'd only want the best for him: only the best of things and the finest education. He's bound to be

Chapter 3

As expected, the day they got home, their secret son met with misfortune.In the dead of night, a child's cries woke me. I opened my eyes to find Derick absent from our bedroom.I called for the maid to bring my child, and seeing him sleeping peacefully, I headed to Jasmine's room.It was a scene straight from the hospital.In Jasmine's room, a lone baby wailed.The infant's intermittent cries were feeble and strained, his flushed face a clear sign of a fever brought on by the cold.Frowning, I left the room to search for Derick and Jasmine.At last, near the dimly lit tool room on the ground floor, I heard their excited, heavy breaths.I sneered to myself and went back to my bedroom.10 minutes later, feigning surprise at being woken by the cries, I encountered them as they returned to the third-floor bedroom.They jumped at the sight of me.Derick glanced at me, his eyes betraying his guilt. "Darling, you're awake? I was just about to mix the formula for our son. I bumped

Chapter 4

Derick's expression turned grave at Jasmine's words, and he snatched Ayden to check.Ever since they had come back from the hospital, neither he nor Jasmine had really cared for the babies.That was their first glimpse of the birthmark usually hidden by clothes.My baby cried out in pain from their rough handling, and anger boiled within me."Let go of my child!"Jasmine, jolted by my shout, came back to her senses and lunged at me in a hysterical frenzy. "You vile woman. You must've done something! Where is my son? Give him back!"I shoved her back with one hand, reclaimed my child, and cradled him protectively. "Jasmine, what are you talking about? Wasn't your son the one who just passed away in the hospital?"Jasmine looked as if she had been struck by lightning, her face contorted with fear and disbelief. "You! You did this, you wretched woman! You switched my child! Give me back my son!"I watched her unravel before me, a slow smile playing on my lips. "Ayden is my flesh a

Chapter 5

Caught between the unhinged Jasmine and the intimidating White family, everyone's eyes were on Derick, waiting for him to tell the truth.Derick was ghost-white, sweat trickling down his forehead. He looked around in a frenzy until his eyes met mine. I was cradling the baby.He pointed straight at me and yelled, "I'm clueless here. It's all Lily's fault!"Lily didn't want her son Ayden, born with a heart defect, to inherit the mafia's throne. I was backed into a corner and agreed to help her swap the babies!"I had no idea she'd be so vile. She'd switched the kids before I even got to the hospital, all because she envied how Jasmine's boy was prettier and healthier! She told me to ditch the kid, to let Jasmine's baby die!"Now she's playing innocent, using the White family's clout to pin it all on me! She's fooled you all!"Some in the crowd bought his story, murmuring, "Really? The Whites are supposed to be pillars of the community! How could Mr. White's only girl stoop so low?"

Chapter 6

My words sent a shockwave through Derick and Jasmine, their faces a picture of pure horror.With a sly grin, I hit play on the recorder for all to hear.Jasmine's moans and Derick's breathy gasps were not the only things captured; their treacherous whispers filled the room."Thanks for swapping the kids, darling. Our little one's destined to rule the roost now!"Lily's boy is your own blood. He's sick, and we're just leaving him to suffer. Doesn't that break your heart?" Derick's reply was laced with excitement. "Why should I care? The kid you're carrying is the only one that matters. Lily's? He's nothing to me!"I only married her for the cash and the clout it brought with the gang. Her family watched me like I was a common thief. Her old man was the worst, setting up his will so I couldn't get my hands on a dime. Without your little surprise, I'd still be waiting for my break!"Let Lily play mommy dearest. We'll live it up on her inheritance. Once our kid's old enough to take

Chapter 7

There was no need for anyone to check. Jasmine's next move was tantamount to confessing."You dare to mess with the daughter of our late boss? You're going to pay!"Fueled by rage, the mafia members drew their guns, aiming at Jasmine and Derick.The terrified Jasmine clung to Derick's arm and shook it violently, her tears a mix of fear and self-pity."Derick, have you lost your spine? You swore you'd always protect me! How can you just stand there and let the Whites walk all over me?"Derick, though, could not even fend for himself.He faced the furious faces around him, fear making him break out in a cold sweat.After a moment's hesitation, he forcefully let go of Jasmine's hand."That's enough! I said, shut it!"Derick's eyes were desperate as he turned to me, his voice a soft plea I had never heard before."Sweetheart, I never meant to hurt you before! I didn't think it through, and I'm sorry for the pain I caused."From now on, I'll make it up to you. Find it in your hea

Chapter 8

No sooner had I spoken than the wail of police sirens filled the air.The cops closed in, hauling away a bloodied Derick and Jasmine, both worse for wear after the confrontation.Derick and Jasmine were a mix of shock and indignation, crying out to the cops about the brutal beating they had endured. However, the officers did not even let them finish before slapping cuffs on their wrists. Derick, wide-eyed and frantic, protested, "It was the White family who nearly killed us! Why are you arresting us?""We've got a tip-off about someone faking legal papers, swindling property, and child abuse that led to a kid's death," replied the officer.Derick's face went pale. "Impossible! We were just attacked, and now the cops show up? What are the odds?"Jasmine's voice pierced the air, "I've never done anything like that! You've arrested the wrong people!"The cop gave a hard chuckle. "We don't make a move without solid evidence. Save your explanations for your lawyer at the station."

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