family property
Chapter 1
My brother, who’d been kidnapped eighteen years ago, was finally home.
The first thing I did was tell my fiancé, but his
reaction was totally off.
“Your brother’s back now? He’s probably here
to try and steal your inheritance.”
I shook my head. Even though my brother had
been kidnapped, he was smart and talented,
and already worth millions.
He even said he wanted to gift me a huge
mansion as a wedding present.
But before I could even say anything, my fiancé
quickly added, “Traditionally, family money
should go to the sons.
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“So, let’s get married right away. You can
transfer all your assets to me, then nobody can try to steal them.”
Hearing him say that, I immediately called the
hotel to cancel our wedding plans.
Because when it comes down to it –
I know who my real family is.
And I know who’s trying to steal my money.
My brother was kidnapped by human traffickers
when he tried to protect me.
I was five, and he was eight.
Our nanny was taking us to the park, when she
dozed off on a bench.
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The traffickers saw me and covered my mouth.
and tried to drag me into their car.
My brother yelled and started kicking and punching them.
Afraid of attracting too much attention, they
threw me to the side and used a stick to knock
him out. Then they dragged him into the car and sped away.
By the time someone found us, the car was
long gone. My brother vanished for eighteen
years.
But my parents and I never gave up on finding
him.
And now, we had finally found him.
Looking at this man who had a striking
resemblance to me, it felt like there was some
kind of blood connection that made me want to
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3:44
“Ethan?” I’d been practicing that name in my
head for years.
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But when I said it aloud, my heart ached and I
couldn’t stop myself from crying.
Ethan was a lot calmer than me.
He opened his arms, and gave me a warm hug. “Little crybaby, you’ve grown up to be such a
beautiful woman.”
My parents burst into tears, saying “Sorry” over and over again.
They’d been too busy with work, they’d left us with that nanny.
At first, she was ok. But after seeing my
parents never come home, she got lazier and
lazier.
Which was what led to the whole tragedy.
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But at that moment, there was nothing but joy.
After filling out all the paperwork at the police
station, Ethan came home with my parents and
- me.
“Ethan, we’ve been keeping your room clean.
Waiting for you to come back.”
I was so excited to be walking behind Ethan.
Even though my parents had become
successful, they never moved to a better house.
They were always afraid that one day, if he ever
found his way home, this house would no longer
be his home.
His room hadn’t changed in eighteen years.
The childish cartoon designs were still there,
but it was cleaner than ever, waiting for the
owner to come back.
Ethan’s eyes teared up.
He sat on the bed, with my parents hugging him
on either side. And just like when I was a kid, I sat in front of him, looking up at him.
“The traffickers saw I was a boy, and tried to
sell me. I managed to escape in the middle of
the night, but I hit my head on a rock. I woke up
in a foster home, but couldn’t remember
anything. It was just recently, when I had a car
accident, that I remembered where my home
was…”
Ethan gave a bitter smile.
My mom couldn’t help it, she burst out crying again, and said she didn’t want to be separated
again.
My dad was happy, and put on his apron and said that he wanted to make a huge meal to
celebrate
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3:45
At dinner, Ethan told us more about his life.
“I was lucky, I started a company with my
college roommate, and made a lot of money.”
He paused for a moment, and then looked at
- me. “I heard you’re getting married, is that
right?”
I nodded, putting my arm around his. I was so
clingy, just like I was when I was little.
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“He doesn’t know you’re back yet. When he
finds out that I found my brother, he’s gonna be
so happy. I’ll introduce you two in a couple of
days, okay?”
My love needed my brother’s blessing.
Otherwise, it wouldn’t be perfect.
Ethan nodded and rubbed my head.
“As your brother, I’ll have to get you a big
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wedding present. I have a mansion with a great
view, how about I give that to you as a wedding
gift?”
My brother was very wealthy, even richer than
my parents.
So, without any hesitation, I thanked him, and
listened as he told us more about his life.
That day was the happiest day of my life.
So, when I went back to my room that night, I
saw a text from my fiance, Nick. I called him
right away, and told him that I had good news
for him tomorrow.
I thought he would be happy for me, too.
But when Nick found out that my brother was found, his expression immediately changed.
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“What? Your brother was found?”
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Nick immediately stood up, knocking his coffee
over, staining his white shirt.
I quickly grabbed a couple of napkins to give to
him, but he didn’t take them.
“I know you’re shocked. But I never thought
that you would be even more excited than me.”
At that time, I thought he was happy that I had
found my brother.
Nick grabbed my hand. “Have they done a DNA
test? Are they sure?”
I shook my head, “We did a DNA test, he’s my
brother. There’s no mistake.”
Nick didn’t let go of my hand. He held it tighter.
In naid
66110
^^
A
hank
Of all the tim
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He said,
me Came back NOW? UT all the times?
Why now? Just when we’re getting married?”
His words made me feel really uncomfortable.
So, I pulled my hand away, and my voice had
cooled off.