Chapter 1
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When I was five that Christmas, our family welcomed a baby sister. During our hospital visit, I witnessed someone switching my sister with another baby.
I didn’t make a scene–I quietly switched her back.
Twenty years later, a young woman showed up at my parents‘ door in tears, looking completely disheveled.
“Mom, Dad, I’m your real daughter!”
*****
I came back from a business trip to find an unusually tense atmosphere at home.
My parents looked worried, and the entire house was eerily quiet.
Carrying gifts I’d bought for the whole family, I asked, “Where’s Jade Ryan? It’s the weekend–didn’t she come home this week?”
Jade is my sister, five years younger than me. She’s a sophomore in college this year, attending a local university, and usually comes home on weekends.
On my way back, I’d been imagining her reaction when she saw me–she’d definitely come running like a puppy, grab my suitcase, and hug me sweetly while saying, “Jessie, I missed you so much!”
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My father, Roy Ryan, waved me over. “Jessie Ryan, come here. Your mother and I have something important to discuss with you.”
As the eldest daughter, I’d been involved in the family business since starting college.
Our family is undoubtedly wealthy, with a complete family tree and distinguished ancestors. My parents and relatives are all wealthy and influential.
The family business is waiting for Jade and me to inherit.
“What’s with all the mystery?” I walked over, somewhat puzzled. “Don’t tell me Jade’s being bullied at school?”
After all, there’s no way Jade would bully anyone else.
“No,” my mother, Lily Ryan, pulled me down to sit beside her, her expression complicated. “It’s much more serious than that.”
I was surprised.
Something more serious than Jade being bullied?
“Did our family go bankrupt? Which business?” Our family is involved in numerous industries, and I couldn’t immediately think of which one might be in trouble.
“That’s not it either,” Roy said.
His face was full of worry. “Jessie, have you ever considered that Jade might not be our child?”
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I stared at them in shock.
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I turned to Lily. “Mom, did you do something wrong when you were young?”
Then I got slapped.
“What are you thinking?” Roy raised his voice. “I’m asking whether Jade might not be my child OR your mother’s child?”
“Impossible.” I flatly denied it.
After hearing my response, Lily also
chimed in worriedly.
“Exactly. We’ve raised Jade for twenty years–how could she not be our daughter?”
My parents‘ behavior was really strange. 3/7
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I crossed my arms and leaned back in my
Chapter 1
daughter, and you just believed her?” I felt a headache coming on. “Here, give me your phone. Let me check if you’ve downloaded any anti–fraud apps.”
“But she accurately stated your sister’s birth date and time, even knew the hospital and the doctor who delivered her,” Lily said.
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“That just proves she’s a well–prepared scammer,” I continued. “That information isn’t classified–it’s not surprising someone would remember or happen to
know it.”
“Your father and I didn’t believe it either, but she produced the necklace your grandmother gave when your sister was
born.”
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Roy chimed in: “Vou were young then
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including those who stole children directly from hospitals.
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Roy had just taken a phone call and went back to handle an urgent company matter. The relatives who had been excitedly visiting the baby left because Lily was too tired and needed rest, so the room became quiet again.
A housekeeper was supposed to stay and watch the baby, but I don’t remember why she left the room during that time.
I stood on my tiptoes looking at Jade in her crib. She looked so tiny and soft, like a fragile thing that would cry at the slightest touch. But she was as adorable
as me.
I stared at her for so long that I became 5/7 sleepy. The room was dimly lit because
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Jade.
I just watched quietly, half–asleep and thinking I was dreaming.
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When I heard the soft sound of the door closing, I suddenly got up and looked into the crib on my tiptoes. Although newborn babies look pretty much the same, and this baby was wearing identical clothes to Jade’s, I had stared at Jade for so long- how could I not recognize her?
My sister had been switched!
Realizing something was wrong, I immediately went to shake Lily, but though she was breathing steadily, I
couldn’t wake her.
I made a quick decision and opened the
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door just catching sight of the woman’s
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Jade whimpered once along the way,
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but thankfully she was well–behaved and didn’t cry.
After bringing Jade back, I carried the strange baby to that other room.
When the housekeeper returned and saw me carrying Jade around, she was horrified. Roy later scolded me when he heard about it, saying I was being ridiculous.
Lily woke up after sleeping for several more hours. Since nothing had happened, I felt relieved.
This incident didn’t leave a deep impression in my memory, and when I recalled it later, I even thought it had been a dream.
7/7
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My sister is the real daughter of tycoon
