Chapter 2

Dawn had just broken when a loud, frantic banging on the front door woke me. I sat up, drenched in cold sweat.

In my past life, this was the exact moment. The shady clinic doctor had made a massive scene at our door, waking up the entire neighborhood.

In front of everyone, he had shoved the baby into my arms, scolding me for being an irresponsible, deadbeat mother.

Only later did I find out the baby belonged to my sister, Sienna. My parents had begged me to keep him, arguing that since I had no plans to marry anyway, I should just take him. I agreed.

But later, I grew to utterly despise that single choice.

Hearing the pounding now, a shiver ran down my spine. I sprang out of bed and threw the door open, coming face-to-face with a very familiar, greasy face.

"Chloe! You gave birth and just abandoned your own flesh and blood? You know child abandonment is a felony, right?"

The neighbors were already waking up, poking their heads out of their doors to watch the drama unfold.

I stared at him. The next second, I ripped off my heavy slipper and slammed it right across his face!

"You shameless old fraud! How dare you pull a scam on my doorstep?!"

"I don't even have a boyfriend, let alone a baby! Have you ever seen a woman who just gave birth whip someone’s ass like this?"

"Do I look like I just popped out a kid to you?"

My sudden, violent outburst left the doctor completely speechless. Across the hall, our neighbor, Mrs. Gable, finally reacted.

"Wait, that’s true. Chloe goes to work every single day. I’ve never once seen her with a baby bump!"

"Is there some kind of mistake?"

"Hey, I recognize him! Isn't he that sketchy unlicensed doctor from the end of the street?"

I put my hands on my hips and yelled, "You dirty, illegal medic! Running a shady clinic and now trying to extort me? I'm calling the cops!"

Hearing the word "cops," the doctor panicked. "I—I don't have time for this!"

I grabbed him by his greasy hair. "Oh, you don't have time? Too bad! You're not going anywhere!"

I pulled out my phone and dialed immediately. "Yes, 911? I'd like to report a case of child trafficking and abandonment!"

"Stop lying!" the doctor shrieked.

"You can explain that to the police. If you don't make this clear today, I will personally tear your shady clinic apart!"

God had given me a second chance. All the resentment and agony I had bottled up in my past life poured out in this very moment.

By the time the police arrived, they found the doctor bruised and battered, clutching a crying baby, while I stood there in my pajamas, holding a slipper and looking absolutely furious.

The neighbors had gathered in the hallway. After hearing my side of the story, the police looked at the newborn. The umbilical cord was barely dry.

"What is going on here? Speak up!" the officer demanded.

"This is the name and address the patient left on her intake form!" the doctor stammered, pulling a crumpled medical chart from his bag.

The officer checked it. The address was indeed ours, and the name listed was mine.

I crossed my arms. "I have no idea who used my name to give birth. Someone is trying to make me a scapegoat!"

Just then, my parents, who had been hiding inside, finally stepped out.

"Chloe, since you don't want to get married anyway, why don't you just adopt the poor baby?" my mother pleaded.

"Mom, Dad, what kind of nonsense is that? How can I just adopt a random baby of unknown origin?"

"Who knows what kind of people his parents are? What if they're drug addicts? Trash genes can be hereditary. I am not raising a viper in my nest!"

My parents were completely silenced by my sharp words. The doctor's face turned pale. He shoved the baby toward me. "This is your family's baby! I don't care anymore! Tell Sienna to raise her own son. If I knew your family was this crazy, I would have never come!"

Instantly, the hallway erupted into gasps. Everyone now knew—the baby belonged to my younger sister, Sienna!