Traded and Ruined I Will Never Forgive My Family

A week before my wedding, on my way to pick up my diamond ring, I was abducted and tortured by thugs for a whole day and night. When they finally found me, I was unrecognizable, lying in a pool of blood. My father and brother canceled a billion-dollar merger and flew back overnight just to be by my side. In the middle of the night, I overheard Brandon whispering to Arthur outside my hospital room: "Even if we wanted Amber to marry Logan, we didn't have to hire people to hurt Chloe this badly. She’s a girl, Arthur. They ruined her face and her innocence. How is she supposed to live with herself?" Arthur’s face flickered with a brief moment of pain, but his voice remained firm. "Amber has never asked me for anything. Logan is the only thing she wants. With Chloe around, the Carters would never accept a daughter born out of wedlock." "As for Chloe, I’ll fulfill her mother’s dying wish and make her the sole heir to the company. That will at least guarantee she’s set for life." Only then did I realize that this entire nightmare was orchestrated by them—just to force me to step aside for Amber. Their so-called love was nothing but a sickening illusion. If that was what they wanted, I would let them have it. Hearing them talk outside the door felt like being plunged into an abyss of ice. Brandon seemed to have a trace of guilt left as he continued, "But when Chloe finds out, she’ll be completely devastated." Arthur frowned, his attitude remaining rock-solid. "Amber is your sister too. When your mother was alive, I couldn’t bring her into the family, forcing her to live as an outcast for so long. I owe her." "Amber is sweet and sensible. She hasn’t asked for a single thing in over ten years. She just wants to pursue her love. Are we really going to deny her this one small wish?" Conflict flashed across Brandon’s face, but he asked in a defeated tone: "But the Carters are deeply tied to us financially. If we swap brides at the last minute and make Logan marry Amber, will they actually agree?" Arthur thought for a long moment. "The Carters will see the news reports tomorrow..." As if realizing something, Brandon quickly pulled out his phone. "I’ll notify the media. No matter how much it costs, we have to suppress this story. We can’t let a single detail of what happened to Chloe leak out." Arthur reached out and stopped him. "No. Not only should you not stop it, but we also need to publicize it. The more people who know, the better!" "If we offer Amber to marry him instead, the Carters, bound by our family alliance, will think we are saving them from embarrassment. They’ll treat Amber even better and won't blame her for any of this." Brandon paused, then actually nodded. "You're right, Arthur. Amber isn't like Chloe. Chloe was born with everything, while Amber has nothing. I can only be at peace if Amber marries into the Carter family and lives a good life." "Besides, Chloe has always been spoiled. Maybe she needs to go through some hardship to grow up." Arthur’s phone rang. The worry on his face vanished instantly, replaced by sheer joy as he spoke into the receiver. "Amber, don't worry. I promise you will marry Logan tomorrow. Just focus on preparing yourself to be the happiest bride!" I didn't know what Amber said on the other end, but both Arthur and Brandon laughed happily. I closed my eyes in absolute despair. My own father didn't hesitate to have me brutally attacked just to pave the way for Amber. The brother I thought adored me, the father I thought loved me—they were willing to trample on my dignity and reputation just to give Amber a perfect life. My body lost all strength, and I collapsed onto the floor. Hearing the noise, Arthur and Brandon rushed in. Arthur scooped me into his arms, gently touching my forehead with mock tenderness. "Chloe, you're so badly hurt. Why aren't you resting? Walking out barefoot... do you want to break your father's heart?" Brandon quickly brought over a wheelchair and grabbed a towel to wipe my feet. They acted as if I were still Arthur’s beloved daughter, and Brandon's only sister. Arthur’s eyes were bloodshot from staying up all night, yet he sat by my bedside, watching me fall asleep. "You'll be fine when you wake up, Chloe. It's all in the past. I will always be here for you." They acted so convincingly, as if they truly loved me. I turned my back to them, letting my tears flow silently until they ran dry. When the doctor came in, he said, "The damage to her face is severe. If we don’t perform reconstructive surgery soon, it might leave permanent scars." Brandon said anxiously, "That can't happen! Chloe cares about her looks more than anything. She used to throw a tantrum over a single pimple." But Arthur just waved his hand, signaling the doctor to leave. Thinking I was fast asleep, he didn't bother to hide his thoughts and whispered, "Chloe has always been beautiful, a star since she was a kid. With her around, everyone ignored Amber. Now that Chloe’s face is ruined, Amber won't have to envy her anymore." I bit my lip so hard it bled, forcing myself not to make a sound. I remembered when my mother had just passed away. I was only six years old, crying every day until my eyes were swollen like walnuts. Arthur had held me tightly and said, "As long as I’m alive, I will make sure you are the happiest girl in the world, Chloe." Brandon had also promised that I would always be his only little sister. How quickly they forgot their vows. After a sleepless night, the doctor came to examine my body. Even he looked like he couldn't bear to see it. I was covered in deep bruises, and my face was wrapped in thick bandages. He couldn't help but mutter under his breath, "Everyone says the Mitchells love their daughter Chloe like life itself. So how can they leave her like this and spend the whole morning taking the illegitimate daughter out shopping?"I blinked back my tears, but they still soaked into the wounds, sending sharp, stinging pain across my face. My phone was nowhere to be found, but Arthur had left his laptop on the bedside table. With trembling hands, I opened the local news. When I saw the headlines, my mind went entirely blank. The internet was flooded with articles detailing my assault. With Arthur and Brandon pushing the narrative behind the scenes, the media shamelessly labeled me as "damaged goods" and "ruined." Even though I had prepared myself, the words still pierced my heart like physical blades. Suddenly, a notification popped up on Arthur's laptop. It was a message from his lawyer. "Mr. Mitchell, are you sure you want to transfer all your real estate and company shares to Amber Mitchell?" Arthur replied: "Yes. This is all for Amber's dowry. She isn't like Chloe, who was born with everything. I want to give Amber everything Chloe used to have!" Even Brandon had gifted several luxury sports cars and his personal estate to Amber. They always claimed they had neglected Amber. But when I opened Amber’s Instagram, I saw that she had every single luxury item I owned. In fact, she had things I didn't even have. Our birthdays were only one day apart. Every year, Arthur and Brandon would give me expensive gifts but claim they had to fly to Europe for urgent business trips. Now I knew they were flying to be with Amber, celebrating her birthday without ever missing a single one. She had posted cozy photos with Arthur and Brandon, captioned, "My happy family." She posted photos of a field of lavender, claiming Arthur and Brandon had planted it with their own hands just for her. The happiness I thought I possessed was nothing but a delusion. I let out a cold, hollow laugh. I picked up the hospital phone and called my maternal grandmother, who lived in Switzerland. Not long after I hung up, the sound of laughter echoed from the hallway. Amber walked in. Arthur and Brandon followed closely behind her. The moment they saw me, their smiles vanished, instantly replaced by masks of deep concern. "Chloe, you're awake! How are you feeling? Are you in pain?" But Amber’s smile remained bright and mocking. "Chloe, I heard from Dad about what happened to you. Please don't be too sad." She offered her shallow condolences, then pulled several designer dresses out of her shopping bags. She said cutely, "I dragged Dad and Brandon out this morning to help me choose my wedding rehearsal dresses." "Brandon says this red one looks stunning, but Dad insists the white one suits me better. Chloe, you have such great taste. Can you help me choose?" She grabbed the hem of her skirt and spun around innocently. But every movement was laced with smugness and showing off. I laughed coldly. "Don't call me your sister. I don't recognize the daughter of a mistress as my family." Amber’s face turned pale, and her eyes welled up with tears instantly. "I... I just didn't know what style Logan prefers. I thought you knew him best, so I wanted to ask..." "I know I'm just a daughter born out of wedlock. Marrying Logan was an accident anyway. If it makes you this unhappy, I'll just leave!" She ran out of the room crying. Instantly, my father and brother rushed to her defense. "Amber was just excited and wanted to share her joy with you. Chloe, you've gone too far!" Arthur roared at me, "Chloe Mitchell! I have spoiled you rotten! You have absolutely no manners! When Amber heard about your accident, she was so worried she couldn't sleep all night. And this is how you treat her?!" "Apologize to Amber right now!" Arthur and Brandon chased after her. Even though I already knew where their loyalties lay, a pang of sorrow still hit my chest. The next morning. Brandon gently took the bowl of porridge from the private nurse, blew on it to cool it down, and fed me. It was as if the person who had yelled at me yesterday for Amber's sake didn't exist. "Chloe, about yesterday... I already apologized to Amber for you. She said she doesn't blame you." Arthur came in after taking a call, ready to take me out. "I've found the best plastic surgeon in the country to reconstruct your face." They bustled around to get me discharged, completely ignoring the fact that my body was still incredibly weak and I couldn't even walk without a wheelchair. But when I got into the car, I realized this was not the way back to our estate.The car eventually pulled up to a high-end private club. Only then did Arthur speak up. "Amber is a thoughtful girl. She was worried you'd be depressed, so she threw a Welcome Home party for you. She invited all your friends and the Carters. She wanted to give you a surprise." I struggled, trying to get out of the car. I knew Amber had nothing but malicious intentions. But Brandon pressed his hand firmly on my arm, his voice leaving no room for argument. "Amber did this out of the goodness of her heart. If you don't show up, wouldn't you be throwing her kindness back in her face?" "Besides, with your condition, going to a party and socializing will help clear your mind!" Defeated, I let them wheel me into the banquet hall. They called it a "Welcome Home party" for me, but Amber was dressed in a stunning, custom white tulle gown, her makeup flawless. Meanwhile, my face was heavily bandaged, and the exposed cuts looked like hideous, jagged centipedes. My presence only served to make her look like a pristine princess. Amber was chatting with Logan's grandmother, making the old lady laugh so hard her wrinkles creased. But the moment Mrs. Carter saw me, her expression soured. "Why did you bring this cursed girl here? After what happened to her, if she actually married into our family, the Carters would become the laughingstock of the city!" She held Amber’s hand, looking more pleased by the second. "Our Amber is so sweet and sensible. Unlike some people who still have the nerve to show their faces after being ruined. Don't bring your bad luck near us." My "loving" father and brother stood by, doing nothing but catering to Amber. Neither of them said a single word to defend me. Brandon merely whispered, "Mrs. Carter is just blunt. Don't take it to heart." The other guests began to point and whisper at me. "That's her, Logan's original fiancée. They said she was the only true heiress of the Mitchell family, but she's not even comparable to the illegitimate daughter now." "An heiress? She’s just damaged goods. Didn't you see the news? If I were her, I'd have killed myself out of shame instead of showing my face here." I forced back the tears burning in my eyes. I looked over at Amber. She was locked in a passionate embrace with Logan, my former fiancé. They looked like a match made in heaven. Arthur and Brandon looked on with proud, beaming smiles. Though Amber was born out of wedlock, she now had everything. Looking at my broken, scarred body, the contrast between us was like heaven and earth. Is this what you all wanted to see? I thought bitterly. I told them I wasn't feeling well and wanted to rest. Amber walked over gracefully, putting on her fake, angelic act. "It's my fault for not being considerate enough. Chloe, you haven't recovered yet, you must be exhausted. Let me take you to the VIP lounge." She wheeled me into a private room. The moment the door closed behind us, her sweet smile vanished, replaced by a venomous sneer. "How does it feel to be despised by everyone? Do you still think you're the proud, shining jewel of the Mitchell family?" "You're nothing but damaged goods that everyone looks down on now!" "Logan is madly in love with me, and Mrs. Carter prefers me over you." I glared at her. "So what? I'm still better than a cheap, scheming mistress's daughter." She froze for a second, then smirked triumphantly. "Oh, you don't know? To make sure my social status matches Logan's, Dad is going to officially announce my identity in two days. He's transferring his and Brandon's shares to me." "Once Dad and Brandon publicly claim me, do you think anyone will care that I was born out of wedlock?" She laughed hysterically. I couldn't believe my ears. Before my mother died, Arthur had promised her that he would never remarry and that I would be his only daughter. But now, he was going to legitimize Amber. How could he face my mother? How could he do this to me? Amber leaned in close, whispering in my ear, "Chloe, I actually prepared another surprise for you." Just then, a man walked into the room carrying a glass of water. The moment I saw his face, my pupils dilated. My entire body began to shake violently, and my lungs felt like they were being squeezed shut.