Chapter 1

My sister-in-law and I gave birth on the same day.

In the middle of the night, I watched her swap my baby for hers.

But I didn't expose her.

I took her child home, cared for him meticulously, and got him a full scholarship to a prestigious university abroad.

Meanwhile, my child was cursed at, beaten, and abused by her until he was left with a mild intellectual disability.

At the family dinner to celebrate the scholarship, my sister-in-law threw a DNA test on the table.

"A nurse swapped our babies by mistake all those years ago. Now, it's time you gave me my son back."

I just smiled faintly. "Fine by me."

"Simon, wake up. Time for your soup."

Early in the morning, my sister-in-law's voice echoed from outside our bedroom door again.

Chloe never liked me, but ever since I started raising her son, she started showing up at my house constantly.

When Simon started his senior year of high school, she insisted on moving in with us. She wanted to cook him her special "brain-boosting" soups every day.

Her own husband and his family complained, but she didn't seem to care, doing as she pleased.

My husband, Cole, woke up with a groan. "When is she finally going to leave? This is so annoying."

I sighed and opened the door.

Chloe was dressed immaculately, sitting at the dining table and spoon-feeding soup to Simon.

Her eyes were filled with pure adoration.

Sitting next to her was a timid, frail-looking boy, watching them with wide eyes and swallowing nervously. His hair was long and greasy, making him look gloomy and pitiful.

That was my son. She had named him Gideon.

"You're going to so much trouble, Chloe."

She smiled, but her eyes were dismissive. "I'm just worried Simon isn't getting enough nutrition."

"After all, his own mother doesn't seem to care. I have to dote on him a little extra."

I smiled and said nothing. It was only natural for her to love her own son.

Simon grimaced slightly. "That's enough, Aunt Chloe. I don't want any more."

"Just a little more, Simon," she coaxed. "This is excellent for your brain."

"My brain is fine, Auntie," Simon tried to argue, a hint of helplessness in his eyes. Her concern was often suffocating.

"Of course your brain is fine! My Simon is a genius," she said, beaming as she patted his head.

"Not like Gideon over there. Stupid and annoying."

"Just looking at him irritates me!"

Gideon flinched and lowered his head, chewing miserably on his fingernails.

Chloe's disgust was palpable. She slapped his hand away. "That's disgusting! Stop acting like such a little wretch."

Startled, Gideon began to sob. He instinctively dropped to his knees, repeating over and over, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

This scene had played out in my house more times than I could count. The slightest thing that displeased Chloe would result in a torrent of abuse for him.

She shot me a triumphant look, as if showing off her power.

I calmly continued eating my breakfast.

My husband slammed his utensils down. "That's enough! If you want to hit your kid, do it at your own damn house."

Chloe just scoffed. "He's just worthless. Kids need a good smack to learn their lesson."

"Are you even his mother? A stepmother wouldn't be this cruel!"

Simon, frightened by the argument, stood up and edged toward me. "Mom, I'm done. I'm going to school now."

Chloe's face instantly broke into a smile. "Simon, come home early today! It's your birthday, and I bought you those limited-edition sneakers you wanted."

Simon's eyes lit up. "You're the best, Aunt Chloe!"

She beamed, walking him to the door. "Who else would I spoil? You're my everything."

"If there's anything else you want, just tell me. I'll buy it for you."

From the corner, a small, brave voice piped up. "Mom... clothes... My clothes. I want some too."

Gideon pointed to his own shirt, which was so small his belly was showing. He was struggling to say that he, too, wanted new clothes. The shirt he was wearing was one of Simon's old ones from last year.

In previous years, Chloe's in-laws would at least buy him a few things. But since Chloe's husband's sister had a son two years ago, Gideon had been completely neglected.

Chloe snorted in disgust. "You can barely even speak properly. What right do you have to want things?"

"You should be grateful you have anything to wear at all. So demanding."

The light in Gideon's eyes faded. He lowered his head, silently enduring the injustice.

Today was his birthday too, but no one remembered. No one cared.

Cole started to say something, but I tugged on his sleeve. Past experience had taught me that the more I interfered with Chloe’s ‘parenting,’ the more vicious she became.