01

When my daughter turned one month old, I accidentally witnessed my closest friend perched on my spouse's knees.

"Bryan, that foolish wife of yours hasn't noticed I switched our babies, has she?"

"Well... she dotes on our child daily. But where's my daughter and hers? Why didn't you bring her along?"

"I've been mistreating her for a month and it's becoming tedious. I'm planning to submerge her in the bathtub. You won't mind, will you?"

My husband responded with revulsion, "How could that be? I only married Flora for her family's wealth. The brat she bore will perish, and when our child inherits her assets, I'll cast her out."

I silently wiped my tears, feigning ignorance.

I committed myself to raising their child.

Two decades later, my daughter returned from overseas studies, and I transferred all company shares and assets to her name.

During the media announcement, my best friend, clutching my husband's hand, approached me with a paternity test report.

"Flora, the hospital mixed up the infants back then. Briela is actually the biological child of Bryan and me. You've cared for her all these years, but it's time to return her to me now."

My husband also presented divorce papers and a bank card.

"Sign the divorce agreement promptly, so our family of three can be reunited. Also, this card contains seven hundred dollars, your compensation for childcare and divorce over the years."

I gave a frosty smile and replied, "Very well."

1

"Darling, I noticed you coughing yesterday, so I woke up early to prepare some hot lemongrass tea for you. Drink it while it's warm."

My husband, Bryan O'Connor, tenderly and attentively offered me a cup of steaming lemongrass tea.

His gaze when looking at me was filled with affection.

"Dad, you're so kind to Mom," my daughter remarked cheerfully during breakfast.

Indeed... Everyone could see how well Bryan treated me.

He always detected my negative emotions instantly and provided comfort and pleasant surprises.

He would nurse me attentively when I was ill.

He would embrace me tightly and declare that marrying me was his life's greatest fortune when feeling romantic.

Had I not overheard his words that day, I couldn't have believed that someone so considerate could be such a heartless and ungrateful creature.

I accepted the hot tea and drank it silently.

Shortly after, the doorbell chimed.

"That must be Lauryn arriving."

My daughter leaped up excitedly and rushed to open the door.

I saw my best friend, Lauryn Hansen, standing there with numerous bags.

Upon seeing her daughter, her face lit up with joy.

"Briela, the weather's been getting chillier lately, so I bought you some warm clothing."

"Oh, and didn't you mention liking the pastries I made last time? I've baked some more for you."

Briela's eyes crinkled with happiness as she smiled. "Thank you, Lauryn. You're the best!"

Lauryn set down her items, hugged her daughter, and said lovingly, "Of course, you're my precious one!"

"I wish I could give you everything wonderful in this world!"

Afterward, she led her daughter to the dining table, looked at me, and said directly, "Flora, I heard from Briela that there's a parent-teacher conference at her school today."

"Would you allow me to attend?"

"You know, I'm not as fortunate as you, having married a wonderful husband and given birth to a well-behaved daughter. I became pregnant and had a daughter because of a scoundrel. That short-lived girl drowned in the bathtub while bathing. I don't even have the chance to attend parent-teacher conferences..."

She spoke pitifully, her eyes darting between Bryan and her daughter.

Over the years, she consistently used her daughter's early demise as an excuse to overstep boundaries in numerous ways.