I was seven months pregnant, lying on an operating table, and my own husband was the one holding me down.

He believed the umbilical cord blood from our premature baby could save Sonia—the girl my family adopted. So he conspired with a private clinic to cut my child out of me. The moment they had harvested our baby's cord blood, he rushed away—leaving my fragile, premature child to die alone in an incubator.

Later, my parents told me, "Harper, you owe Sonia. It's time you paid her back."

My husband said, "We can always have another one. Is one child's life more important than Sonia's?"

Rage and grief overwhelmed me, and I bled to death on that table. My soul floated above, watching them save Sonia with my child's lifeblood. They didn't even bother to cover my body with a clean sheet.

No one mourned for me. My death caused no one pain.

They pushed me into the morgue without a second thought and threw a party to celebrate Sonia's new lease on life.

When I opened my eyes again, I had traveled three months into the past—to the day my family was pressuring me to sign the divorce papers.

————————

1

I sat in the opulent dining room, gazing at the faces that were once so familiar. For a disorienting moment, I could almost feel the glare of the surgical lights.

"Harper, please... just sign the divorce papers," my mother pleaded, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "This is Sonia's last chance!"

She sat across from me, clutching Sonia's hand, her gaze branding me a criminal.

My father stood silhouetted against the window, his expression cold as stone.

"You stole Spencer from Sonia the moment you came back," he said. "The stress nearly killed her. You owe her."

I laid a hand on my swelling belly and glanced at Spencer, seated opposite me. "Do you also want to divorce me and marry Sonia?"

He massaged the bridge of his nose, his face a mask of anguish. "Harper, Sonia is gravely ill. I grew up with her; we were supposed to be together. If you hadn't come back—"

"Don't pressure Harper!" Sonia interrupted, her voice trembling. "I know I can't compare to her... I'm not good enough for Spencer..."

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she collapsed into his arms. He held her instinctively.

"Even though Mom and Dad raised me, and I grew up with Spencer, I'm not really part of the family, not by blood—"

"Sonia, don't say that!" my mother cried. "You will always be our daughter."

She dabbed at Sonia's tears, her heart aching for the girl's plight. But when she turned back to me, the tenderness in her eyes curdled into fury. "Harper, you were never truly one of us! How can you be so cruel as to deny your sister's dying wish? You're a cold-hearted monster!"

"This is for Sonia," my father warned, his voice low. "Don't be selfish."

"Sonia, trust me. I'll give you a wedding to remember," Spencer whispered to her before his eyes, hard as flint, met mine. "It's not a real marriage, Harper. It's just a piece of paper to grant a dying wish. How can you be the one to say no?"

I stared at the divorce papers on the table, my hands trembling. In my past life, and now in this one, they always chose Sonia. Because of a nurse's blunder at the hospital, Sonia and I were switched at birth. I was only returned to the Vance family last year.

At first, I believed I had finally found a home, a family that would love me. But from the moment I arrived, I was an intruder. My parents blamed me for stealing Sonia's boyfriend and the life they believed she deserved.

But they were the ones who had scoured the globe to bring me back... and it was Spencer who had once begged me to be his wife.

In my past life, I fought with everything I had to hold on to them, but I still lost it all—my life, and my child—just another casualty in their twisted games.

Back then, I had knelt outside that clinic, begging them to spare my child. They pushed me into the operating room anyway.

The phantom pain of that memory lanced through my chest. Since they never wanted me, I might as well give them what they want.

"Fine. I'll sign."

The room fell silent. Everyone was stunned. None of them expected me to agree so quickly, not after my previous stubborn resistance. In my past life, I had threatened suicide, only for my father to forcibly press my thumbprint onto the papers.

Spencer and Sonia had a lavish, live-streamed wedding while I was locked in my bedroom. I'd clicked on the link, but the sight of them together shattered my heart. I’d shut it off instantly.

Everyone celebrated their happiness—a happiness built on my despair.

This time, I knew what the divorce meant. Why cling to a man who would destroy me? It was pointless.

"Harper..." Spencer hesitated, studying me. "Are you sure?"

I picked up the pen and signed my name without a second thought. The black ink sliced across the page like a scar, severing the chaotic ties between us.

A bitter laugh escaped my lips. "Fine. You all think I stole something from her? I'm giving it back. We all know how precious Sonia is."

After everything, I finally understood. Blood ties meant nothing. The scales of their love would always tip in Sonia's favor, even though she was the one living my life.

My parents froze. They exchanged a look, a flicker of uncertainty in their eyes.

A flash of guilt crossed Spencer's face. But before he could speak, Sonia stepped forward.

"Harper," she whimpered, hiding behind him. "I'm so sorry..."

At the sight of her tears, Spencer immediately pulled her into a protective embrace. I just turned and walked away.

On their wedding day, my cooperation earned me a front-row seat to the grand celebration.

Light glinted off pristine marble floors as a small army of staff moved with practiced precision, perfecting every detail.

Massive crystal chandeliers cast a warm, golden glow, and florists placed cascading arrangements of white and pale pink peonies on every available surface, each bloom an exquisite testament to a love that wasn't mine.

Spencer stood before me in a crisp white suit. The hand that once wore my ring was now bare, ready for a new one.

He looked conflicted. "Harper, you understand, don't you? Sonia is my childhood sweetheart... she's dying. I can't say no to her. Just wait for me, Harper. Once Sonia is gone..." His voice trailed off. "I'll give you the wedding you deserve."

His gaze softened with a sorrow I no longer believed. "I still love you."

Love? I had foolishly believed him once. I had told myself he must have his reasons.

After all, the spark in his eyes when we first met felt real. Our marriage had been happy. He had been ecstatic when he learned I was pregnant.

But now, I remembered him sacrificing my child for Sonia. I couldn't find a single reason to believe his lies.

I steadied my voice and met his gaze. "We're divorced. Save those words for your new wife."

He froze. A cold smile touched my lips. "Congratulations on your upcoming wedding, Mr. Davies."

Without a second glance at his furrowed brow or the tension in his jaw, I turned and walked away.

After leaving the banquet hall, I made my decision. This time, my child and I would survive.

I didn't go back to our downtown apartment. I went straight to the airport.

In my last life, staying in this city was a death sentence. This time, I had to get out before they could take my baby. They were ruthless, and I had nothing left to lose.

But I had underestimated Spencer.

The moment he realized I was gone, he froze my accounts. My phone was tracked. The flight I'd booked was canceled.

I was a bird in a cage, with my wings clipped.

I ended up hiding in a dingy motel off Interstate 90. The owner, seeing my pregnant belly, took pity and charged me half price. But I knew the peace wouldn't last.

Sure enough, two days later, Spencer stood in my doorway.

"Harper, what are you doing in a place like this?" he asked, his gentle tone at odds with his perfectly tailored suit, which was comically out of place in the rundown motel.

I looked at him coldly. "Is there something I can help you with, Mr. Davies?"

"What are you talking about, Harper? We've been worried sick about you."

A hint of sadness flickered in his eyes. "I want to take you home. Let's be a family again."

My heart stuttered.

A family? Could it be? In this life, had my compliance finally made them see me?

But his next words plunged me back into the abyss.

"Actually..." A flicker of unease crossed his face. "We need your help. For Sonia. She's found a cure. All she needs are stem cells from a newborn's umbilical cord blood."

My body went cold as memories of my past life crashed over me—the blinding surgical lights, the sterile scent of antiseptic, the frantic shouts of doctors, and then… nothing.

"Get out!" I screamed, shoving him. "You will not touch my child!"

Why had I ever dared to hope? It was laughable.

"Harper, listen to yourself," Spencer frowned. "We're just inducing labor a bit early to get the cord blood. It won't hurt the baby, and it will save Sonia. Why are you being so selfish?"

"Selfish?" I laughed, tears of rage streaming down my face. "Spencer, this is your child too! How could you—"

Before I could finish, my parents came rushing up the stairs.

"Harper!" my mother cried, collapsing at my feet and grabbing my legs. "Please, save Sonia! She's your sister!"

I shoved her away violently. "My sister? When have you ever treated me like a daughter?"

"You ungrateful wretch!" my father roared, his face flushed with anger. "We gave you everything! How can you be so heartless?"

"I'm not the heartless one. You are!" I screamed, my heart shattering all over again.

I had removed myself from their lives. I'd let them have their perfect family. Why were they still cornering me, demanding my child's life?

"Harper..." Sonia appeared at the top of the stairs, her voice a weak whisper. "I'm sorry... It's all my fault that I'm sick..."

Her face was frighteningly pale, and she trembled like a leaf, looking as if a stiff breeze could knock her over. Seeing her so fragile, my parents were heartbroken. They rushed to her side, propping her up.

"Don't say that!" my mother sobbed, cradling Sonia while shooting me a look of pure hatred. "It's our fault for bringing this jinx home. She's the one who made you sick! She has everything now and still isn't satisfied. She stole your life, so it's only fair she pays with hers!"

I sneered. My own biological parents. Calling me a jinx, cursing me, wishing me dead.

And for what? What had I ever done? Compared to them, was I really the despicable one?

"Alright, Harper. That's enough of this nonsense," Spencer said, grabbing my arm.