The Swap

After Damian and I got married, Caleb and Betty had visited us once.The second they walked into our cozy but classy house, their eyes lit up. You could practically see them picturing it as theirs.Betty and I weren't pregnant at the same time at first, but she suddenly decided on a C-section so we'd deliver on the same day.When my baby was born, I caught a quick look—a small, round birthmark on his arm. But the next time I saw him, it was gone. I thought maybe I'd imagined it.It wasn't until the baby shower that the truth hit me.Damian, trying to make it a big deal, threw a joint party with Caleb and Betty. That's when I saw their son—and he had the same birthmark on his arm.I knew right then. They'd swapped my baby for theirs, wanting their kid to have the life mine was supposed to.I wanted to scream, call them out right there. But Rick, my real son, looked so tiny and fragile next to Hugo. It crushed me. Then I noticed how Betty was looking at Damian, and I swallowed the

"Does it hurt?" I asked softly."It doesn't. Your hands are very gentle," Rick said."Didn't I tell you? If your dad hits you again, you should come straight to me."He nodded, then whispered, "I remember. This time, as soon as he started hitting me, I ran out. But, Aunt Amelia... I lied. My dad didn't send me to find my mom. I just wanted to see you. You don't think I'm bad for lying, do you?""Of course not," I said firmly. "You're the best kid in the world."His face lit up for a moment, but then he glanced down, murmuring so quietly. "Aunt Amelia, I wish you were my mom."Tears welled up before I could stop them. I pulled him into my arms, holding him close as the sobs broke through."Be patient, sweet boy. I promise—I'll protect you."After patching him up, I looked out the window and froze. Damian and Betty were coming down the stairs, each holding one of Hugo's hands. The three of them piled into the car.I turned back to Rick. "Do you want a hamburger too?"He hesitat

Caleb and Betty still couldn't stop bringing meat or burgers whenever they came to see Hugo.One day, as soon as Hugo walked in and spotted Caleb holding a slab of pork, he lost it. Before Damian could say a word, Hugo snatched the meat and hurled it straight at Caleb's face."I'm not eating your stupid meat! Mom and Dad said you're trying to hurt me! Get out! You stink, and just looking at you makes me sick!" Hugo shouted.He shoved Caleb hard. Off balance, Caleb tripped, his leg caught on something, and he fell. His head smacked the corner of the table with a sick crack, blood dripping down his face.But instead of getting angry, Caleb dropped to his knees, begging."Hugo, don't be mad. It's my fault—I was wrong. How could Betty and I ever want to hurt you? You're my—"He glanced at me, froze, and swallowed the rest of his words.Still clutching his bleeding head, he shuffled out, defeated.***That night, as I was getting ready for bed, Damian sat down beside me, clearly an

"Hugo, I've got a little surprise for you," Caleb announced.Then came the bombshell: "Hugo is my biological son. There was a switch at birth! Damian, Rick Dunn is your real kid!"He whipped out a paternity test, waving it like a trophy. Damian snatched it, his hands shaking as his eyes scanned the document. No denying it: Damian and Rick were a match.For the first time in forever, I could actually breathe. That crushing weight? Gone.I turned toward the entrance.A tall, handsome guy jogged in. He stopped in front of me and wrapped me in a hug like he'd been waiting his whole life for this."Mom," he said warmly.I held him tight, my own voice calm as I whispered, "Good boy. You've been through so much."Damian looked like he'd been hit by a truck. "You knew?!" he gasped.I nodded. "I figured it out at Hugo's baby shower."His voice turned wild. "Why didn't you tell me?! Why let my son suffer?!"Ignoring him, I shifted my focus to Caleb and Betty. With the fakest smile, I