Switched After Four Days

I held Lucas in my arms and kicked the door open of Ms. Thompson’s office.

I questioned her angrily, “Why was my son, Lucas, abandoned on the roadside? Who is the baby in the photo you sent me?”

The manager smiled. “Mr. Smith, I think you are mistaken. I will show you the security footage.”

In the footage on her laptop, it was clear that the imposter baby on the bed had never left the room since birth.

“Have a look. Your son has been well taken care of. The baby in your arms…I have no clue where you found him. Only you know the truth.”

In disbelief, I yanked the mouse over and fast-forwarded.

The footage was real, nothing was edited.

Suddenly, the office door was pushed open. Susan’s brother, John Blackwood, brought a few relatives and rushed in.

He patted my shoulder and said, “Eason, are you out of your mind? Why didn't you let Suzy rest when she just gave birth? We’re both men, so I get you…but let’s discuss this after Suzy comes home.”

“That’s right. Do you know how hard it was when Susan was pregnant? How can you bring back a random baby from outside? How can you mistreat your own wife and child for the sake of another woman?!” Susan’s relatives were warning me.

I was so furious. I pointed at the red mole behind Lucas’s left ear and said, “Look closely! My son has a red mole over here, does that baby have it too?”

Susan suddenly rushed in and cried. “John, I’m so wronged. I give him a son, but he brings home a random baby and wants me to pretend it’s mine!”

The manager, Ms. Thompson, wrapped it up and said, “Mr. Smith, look how upset your wife is. How about this? I’ll let the nurse feed some milk to the baby in your arms. You try to calm down, then we'll talk.”

She didn’t wait for me to agree. She quickly called in the nurse and passed me a baby’s milk bottle.

Lucas was hungry. When he saw the bottle, he shook his tiny hands.

I didn’t manage to stop the nurse. She immediately popped the milk bottle into Lucas’s mouth.

Within two minutes, Lucas suddenly started vomiting vigorously. His face turned red and purple, looking as though he was going to die.

I quickly picked him up and patted his back. I saw the nurse secretly hide the bottle behind her back and wanted to sneak out without notice.

I rushed over and snatched the milk bottle. “What kind of milk powder is this? Why does it seem diluted?

The nurse looked away. “It’s…It’s our center’s own formula…”

I looked at the manager, Ms. Thompson. “The milk powder I ordered is imported from Europe and is of premium quality. Why do you switch it and let my son drink something else?”

Ms. Thompson replied with confidence, “Your son Lucas at this center is fed with the best milk powder, but as for the baby you are holding…it’s already a blessing if he gets fed.”

Just when I wanted to argue, Ms. Thompson suddenly reached over and pinched Lucas hard in my arms. He scolded, “How can an abandoned baby be picky about what’s being given?”

Lucas was weak generally. The moment Lucas was pinched, he started crying out loud.

Rage filled me. I clenched my fist and swung at her.

John suddenly charged in from the side and yanked me by the collar. He warned me, “Eason, don’t push your luck. If you keep this up and break my sister’s heart, I swear I won’t go easy on you.”

At this moment, Lucas started vomiting repeatedly again. Every time he took a breath, he shivered hard.

I stared intensely at Susan’s relatives. “If anything happens to my son, Lucas, I will make you all pay!”

Before I could finish speaking, I pushed John away, and rushed out while holding Lucas.