Swap 1

Chapter 1 

 

[Bro, after the birth, we’ll swap Jessica and Anna back like planned. Fair’s fair.] 

Jessica’s husband had cheated. 

His phone revealed the “drunken mistake” was a lie. 

“Anna’s pregnant.” 

William stated it flatly, like announcing weather. 

Jessica’s teacup froze mid-air. 

Steam blurred the man’s face across from her. 

“Mine.” 

“Jess, you know I need an heir. The pressure from my parents…’ 

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The day Anna’s pregnancy was confirmed, Jessica slept separately for the first time in nine years together, six mar- ried. 

Ninety-nine IVF attempts. Zero children. 

Anna. One night. 

Aaron and Michelle threatened suicide to keep the baby. Even William pleaded: “Give my parents descendants.” 

Jessica agreed through searing pain. 

Everything shifted that day. 

She surrendered her bedroom, her husband, finally her life. 

When fire engulfed the villa, only Jessica and Anna remained. 

William rushed in, scooped Anna into his arms. 

“William! My legs!” 

Jessica begged as flames licked her pinned legs. 

He paused, holding Anna, avoiding her gaze. 

“Anna’s pregnant. Get yourself out,” 

Turning to Anna: “You’re both safe.” 

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16:15 

Chapter 1 

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He ignored the burning debris crushing Jessica’s legs. 

As consciousness faded, she remembered William standing in downpour five years prior: “I’ll abandon everything for you.” He’d endured 999 rounds of traditional family punishment, nearly severing ties with his parents. 

Now choosing Anna and the heir over her life. 

The love was gone. 

Near death, Jessica thought: If saved, she’d gracefully let go. 

Tick-tock. 

Dripping water woke her. 

“Jessica, you’re finally awake.” 

Jessica turned to find William’s bloodshot eyes fixed on her, his face gaunt with exhaustion. 

Jessica recalled how he’d stayed by her bedside night after night during past illnesses, and a flicker of warmth stirred within her. “I’m not…” 

“Jessica…” He cut her off, pausing as if steeling himself. 

“We’ll divorce first to satisfy the Moores. Once Anna delivers the baby, we’ll remarry.” The words tumbled out like rehearsed lines. “After divorce, you’ll keep living here. The child will be registered under your name—you’ll raise 

him.” 

Jessica stared incredulously at the man she’d loved for five years. 

Was this some cruel joke? 

Expecting her to raise his mistress’s child? 

What did he take her for? 

William avoided her gaze, murmuring, “You’re the mother I want for my child. As long as he bears your name, you’ll always be an Anderson daughter-in-law.” 

“Why?” 

Her voice scraped out, raspy as coarse sandpaper. 

“Anna needs legitimacy. The family has decided.” 

“We divorce. I marry Anna.” 

Jessica watched the man who’d held her heart for eight years. 

“And your brother?” she asked, trembling uncontrollably. 

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16:14 

Chapter 1 

“He agreed. I know this is unfair to you.” 

William’s brow furrowed, genuine guilt finally surfacing. 

“Jessica, I’ll make it up to you.” 

Compensation? 

For eight years of youth? For shattered love? For their broken home? 

A hysterical laugh bubbled in Jessica’s throat. 

It escaped a twisted grimace more painful than tears. 

“Okay.” 

Just one word. 

William froze, unprepared for her surrender. 

His rehearsed pleas clogged in his throat. 

After a stunned moment, he produced documents. “Sign the divorce papers.” 

Jessica lowered her eyes. His signature already stained the page. 

Ice spread through her veins. 

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She held the pen suspended. Minutes crawled by until William’s pleading gaze shifted to unease, then thinly veiled impatience. 

“Jessica, sign it.” 

Jessica moved at last. 

Her stiff lips curved slowly upward. 

A faint, lifeless smile. 

“Alright.” 

Her voice floated, unnervingly calm. 

As she signed, William’s audible relief filled the room. 

He even offered a conciliatory smile. 

“Don’t overthink this, Jessica. Focus on healing. My kindness to Anna? Just placating my parents-making them be- lieve I value this child. Once born, I’ll bring him to you. We’ll…” 

A phone rang-Anna’s call. With an apologetic glance, William turned away without hesitation. 

“Sweetie, just wait for me to carry you if your ankle’s twisted.” His voice trailed off as he strode toward the door. 

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16:15 

Chapter 1 

When Jessica returned home after a month hospitalized, every trace of her existence had vanished. 

The living room vase no longer held her hyacinths-roses, Anna’s favorite, bloomed instead. 

The clothes from the master bedroom closet had been moved to the guest room closet. 

As if possessed, she picked up William’s spare phone left on the coffee table. 

The screen lit up, revealing an unread message. 

The sender was William’s brother, Victor. 

[Bro, once the baby’s born, we’ll swap Jessica and Anna back like we agreed. So no one loses out.] 

The last thread of sanity snapped in Jessica’s mind. 

She clutched the phone, knuckles whitened from the grip, blood seeming to freeze in her veins. 

She recalled William’s unusual reactions in bed recently, 

remembered how Victor kept staring at her, even joking about the hickeys William left. 

Not a drunken mistake, not a reckless night-but a long-planned swap. 

A chill crawled down Jessica’s spine, nausea churning in her stomach. 

Stumbling, she fled the mansion. 

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