Chapter 1

On the day of my difficult labor, I used the last of my strength to deliver the child that Dawson Holt and I had made.

He wept with joy.

"The baby is perfect and looks just like you. The doctor gave you something to help you sleep. Get some rest now."

I squeezed his hand and forced a smile.

But through my fading consciousness, I caught a conversation between Dawson and my brother, Nathan Reed.

Nathan asked, "Dawson, are you sure about cutting off the baby's finger?"

Dawson answered, "Do it. Maya's child has that dark birthmark. If she finds out Serena had a healthy baby, it will destroy her."

My heart seized. My blood ran cold.

Maya was the sister I shared no blood with.

So Dawson had loved her all along.

As I watched Nathan's scissors move toward my child, I fought to throw myself forward.

But I didn't succeed.

Under the drug's influence, I couldn't even lift my eyelids.

A baby's scream tore through the air.

Nathan's voice cut in again, edged with amusement.

"Done. Go tell Maya that Serena's baby is 'imperfect.' That should make her feel better."

Dawson's voice carried a note of urgency.

"Fine, Nathan. I'll leave the rest to you."

My body locked up as if plunged into an icy void, my mind screaming with a sound that wouldn't fade.

"Ah-!"

I jolted awake, staring at the unfamiliar hospital room, my heart slamming against my ribs.

I tried to get up, but Dawson stopped me.

"What's wrong, Serena?"

"You've just given birth and you're still weak. The doctor said you shouldn't leave bed yet."

"Where's the baby?" I stared straight at Dawson.

His eyes reddened, and he hesitated.

"Serena, I'll be honest with you, but please, don't be upset."

"Our baby...he was born with a congenital defect. The middle finger on his left hand is missing from the joint. Nathan's taken him to consult specialists, to see if anything can be done."

"Don't worry."

He held me tightly.

"No matter what it takes, I'll find a way to fix this for our child."

Listening to his shameless lies, my heart contracted painfully, as if pierced repeatedly by thousands of silver needles. The pain was suffocating.

I pushed him away and said numbly.

"I want to see the baby. I want to see the baby right now!"

I stumbled toward the hospital room door and ran straight into Nathan.

He was holding a baby, sleeping peacefully.

I breathed a sigh of relief, snatched the child, and hurriedly checked his fingers.

All intact.

Not a single one missing.

No, something was wrong.

My hand slipped and I nearly lost my balance.

Nathan quickly caught the baby and looked at me reproachfully.

"You're a mother now. How can you still be so careless? This is Maya's baby-the Reed family treasure. What if you had dropped him?"

I ignored his scolding and asked urgently.

"Nathan, where's my baby? Dawson said you took him away. So where is my child?"

He froze for a moment, then seemed to remember, looking somewhat guilty.

"I just ran into Maya on her way to the bathroom, so I left the baby on the chair by the elevator."

I stood there stunned, then rushed outside.

Dawson followed behind me.

But then I vaguely heard a soft "Dawson" from behind, and those urgent footsteps behind me disappeared.

Fortunately, the baby was still there, being watched over by two kind strangers.

I thanked them profusely, then looked at my child's wrapped fingers, sharp pains piercing my heart once more.

Outside the hospital room door, cheerful laughter drifted out.

Dawson and Nathan were both busy fussing over the baby in Maya's arms.

They should be the real family.

I should be the adopted daughter.

I wiped the tears that had fallen on my baby's cheek, then borrowed a phone and made a call.

"I've decided to join the research project."

The voice on the other end brightened. "Serena, you've finally made the right choice. The country needs you. But you know the terms-this project requires a ten-year commitment. Are you sure you can leave your family behind...and the baby you're about to have?"

"Yes."

I swallowed my tears and nodded. "I've decided to bring the baby with me. And I have one request."

"Before we go, find me the best pediatric surgeon in the world."

"Serena, what's wrong?"

"Don't ask yet. Please, just help me."

There was a pause, then a more serious tone.

"Alright, don't worry. I'll have it arranged within a week."