All Chapters of The Daughter They Traded Away: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

8 Chapters

Chapter 1

“Why do not you go first, Brielle?” Seraphina put on a sickly sweet smile and played the part of the devoted older sister, just as she had in her last life. “You were always so delicate. You need someone strong behind you.”She made sure to look around when she said “delicate” so that everyone caught her fake concern. But her eyes gave her away. She kept staring at Matteo Ashford, the heir to the Ashford fortune, with a longing she could not hide. People in high society had whispered for years that the two of them were sneaking around behind everyone’s back.My father was never going to give Matteo to anyone but her.In my previous life, I picked Declan Thorne to keep her happy. I thought I was taking the high road. Instead, I walked straight into a nightmare.I still remembered how it felt at the end of that life. Declan had stood on a stage and told a room full of people that he had never loved me. I had stood in the crowd like a pathetic fool.After the party ended, Seraphina came u

Chapter 2

The look on my father's face went from bad to worse.“What exactly are you trying to say, Matteo?” He kept his voice low. “Our families have known each other for years. So my daughter is not good enough for you?”Matteo fixed his cufflinks. “Mr. Montgomery, I do not want your younger daughter. Not at all.”Seraphina turned to me with red eyes and trembling lips, playing the heartbroken sister. But I caught the tiny smile at the corner of her mouth. She walked to Matteo and touched his arm. “Matteo, my sister risked her life to save you. Even if you do not care for her, show her some respect.”If she had not mentioned it, I might have forgotten. When we were ten, Matteo dragged me to an old fountain in Central Park. Kidnappers grabbed us. I made noise to draw them away so he could escape, but once he got away, they caught me and threw me into the Hudson River. I spent nearly twenty minutes in the freezing water. My bones have never been the same.Matteo looked at Seraphina, and his whol

Chapter 3

On the way to the warehouse, Declan sighed. “I figured it out. You came back too.”I laughed without humor. “So what if I did? Are you suddenly going to take my side now?”“I am sorry,” he murmured.I shook my head. “That is all you can say?”He caught my wrist, drew me in, and kissed me before I could turn away. “This is the last time. We will get Sera out. After this, we will get married, and I will spend the rest of my life paying for what I did to you.”“Can you not see that she is putting on a show?” I asked.He looked away. “I do not know.”But his expression said otherwise.Everyone knew exactly what she was doing. But I was still the one pushed into the fire.The warehouse sat at the end of a cracked road, far from any streetlights. The air smelled of rust and damp concrete. Graffiti stained the walls, and the only light came from a single bulb hanging from a frayed wire. This was not a place for negotiation. This was where people came to disappear.Inside, Seraphina sat on a

Chapter 4

After the car pulled away from the warehouse where Sera had been held, Declan frantically pulled out his phone and dialed the bank.Matteo reached over and grabbed Declan's wrist. "Wait."Declan jerked free, his voice sharp with impatience. "Let go. Brielle is still in there. Every second counts."Matteo snorted. "Why are you panicking? Brielle has always been a problem for Sera. Maybe she needs to learn a lesson. Those people want money, not her life. A few days there might do her good. When we get her out, she might be more agreeable."Declan paused. Since Brielle had come back, her coldness toward him at their mother's grave had been like a thorn in his heart. Maybe this so-called lesson would make her obedient again, just like in her past life.He hesitated. Then Sera leaned in, her voice dripping with sweetness. "Do not worry, Declan. Dad spoiled Brielle too much. A little hardship will be good for her. And those people would not dare hurt her."Declan looked at her, confused. Ser

Chapter 5

Declan was furious. He threw his phone at Sera's feet, and the screen shattered on the floor.But the transfer records and warning emails were clear in Sera's eyes.Sera's face went pale for a moment, but she quickly steadied herself. When she looked up, her eyes were already red. "Declan, let me explain.""Explain what?" Declan's voice was low, but every word shook. "You watched your sister die. You had enough money in your account. Why did you not use it?""I..." Sera's tears started falling, perfectly timed. "I do not know what you are talking about. That money was my personal investment. It had nothing to do with the fund.""Nothing to do with it?" Declan stepped closer, his voice like ice. "Then explain the warning emails. You knew it was a trap from the beginning, did you not? You jumped in on purpose. You knew they would ask for Brielle by name. You planned for her to take your place from the start."Matteo stood nearby, his expression shifting from confusion to doubt. He looked

Chapter 6

I watched the whole thing unfold on the warehouse security monitor.Declan knelt on the ground holding his head like a dog with its neck stepped on. I watched him break apart, and I felt nothing. What was the point of pain that came too late? When I died under that bridge in my past life, he did not even answer his phone."Seen enough?"Dominic Hart stood behind me, his eyes on my face. His voice was quiet, but it carried a certainty that could not be questioned."Just watching a desperate man's last struggle," I said. "The Montgomery family's cash flow will dry up soon. Thanks to you for getting those accounts from the international bank."Dominic did not smile. He just looked at me with a faint warmth in his eyes. "You promised me a chance. Consider this my down payment."My ears grew warm. I stepped back instinctively, but he pulled me into his arms. His embrace was steady, like nothing could push it over."Are you pleased with my gesture?"I did not answer. I just buried my face in

Chapter 7

On my birthday, the financial headlines blared the news of the Montgomery family's complete ruin.Dominic surprised me with a yellow diamond necklace. The cut was perfect. It held a fire inside when the light hit it. As he put it around my neck, he said, "This is just my down payment."I looked down at the diamond flashing under the lights. Then I nodded.But then a sharp ringtone cut through the air. The caller ID showed an unknown number.I picked up without thinking. The voice on the other end belonged to the Thorne family's lawyer, speaking carefully."Miss Montgomery, this is not about a fight. Mr. Thorne asked me to tell you that he is giving up all rights to the Montgomery inheritance, including the Florida ports. He is transferring them to you. No strings attached."I paused. "What is the catch?""Just one meeting. Even if it is only a minute."I thought for a moment. Then I named a place.The bridge. The bridge on the west side of the city. The same bridge I had driven off in

Chapter 8

That was the last time I laid eyes on Declan.After I took control of what remained of the Montgomery empire, my name became the most talked-about subject in New York's financial district. I had stopped being the invisible sister who trailed after Sera. I had become Brielle Hart.Dominic waited three months before he asked me to marry him. He chose an old estate on Long Island, far from the city's noise. There were no pews, no crowds, no organ music. Just him and me. He got down on one knee, but instead of a ring, he held out a single sheet of paper."Every asset I own is listed here," he told me. "I am not asking you to marry me. I am telling you that from now on, everything I have belongs to you."I could not help but smile. "What if I sign it and disappear?""You would not get far." His eyes crinkled at the corners. "I would find you."I pushed the paper back without signing. Then I extended my hand. "The ring."He reached into his pocket and produced a plain silver band. No stones.

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