After Leaving, Her Three Brothers Beg For Forgiveness

In a desolate warehouse on the outskirts of town, Jolene Brown's terrified cry split through the cold, empty air.

"Ah!" Her voice trembled as hard as her body, tears spilling uncontrollably while she shook like a wind-tossed leaf. "Someone... please help me!"

"Jolene!" Austin Brown, the eldest of the Brown siblings, shouted, panic twisting his features. His fists were tight, and his eyes burned with fury as he glared at the kidnappers. "Let Jolene go! Whatever you want to do, take it out on Kathryn instead!"

"If you lay a finger on Jolene, I swear I'll make sure none of you leave this place alive!" roared Isaac Brown, the second brother, completely losing his calm, his eyes glinting with blood-chilling hostility.

"Name your price!" Jaxton Brown, the third brother, shouted. "Just release Jolene. Kathryn's been nothing but trouble anyway. Do whatever you want with her." His eyes were so bloodshot it seemed they might burst, and every muscle in his body screamed that he was seconds away from lunging at the kidnappers.

Tied to a pillar, Kathryn Brown, their real sister, silently let the tears roll down her face.

She had always known she meant little to the Brown family, but hearing her own brothers so casually offer her up, talking about her as if she were some disposable burden, cut straight into her chest.

She was their real sister, finally reunited with them after so many years, and yet, in the moment it mattered most, they had no hesitation choosing the impostor instead.

She and Jolene had been taken together. But when the kidnappers demanded they pick only one to save, the three brothers instantly chose Jolene, without so much as a pause.

"Poor girl," one of the kidnappers sneered, gripping Kathryn's chin between his fingers. "Your brothers don't give a damn about you."

"Let Kathryn go!" Jolene called out weakly, but Kathryn caught the flicker of satisfaction in her eyes.

In her desperation, Kathryn looked toward the only person she still had faith in-Declan Fulton, her fiance. He stood not far away, poised and refined as always, dressed to perfection.

"Declan," Kathryn whispered shakily, fighting to breathe, her eyes filled with pleading hope that he, at least, would choose her.

But Declan's response was steady and icy. "Since the Browns have already made their decision, I'll follow suit. I choose Jolene as well."

Those words hit Kathryn like a punch to the gut. Could this really be the man she had loved for three whole years? Someone capable of turning so cold? He didn't even hesitate.

Her lips quivered, but she couldn't force out a reply.

She stared at the man whose warmth she once clung to, yet all she saw now was a stranger with a frozen heart. Once, she had nearly died protecting him... And for what? It felt like a cruel joke now.

Declan didn't spare Kathryn even the briefest glance. His entire focus was on Jolene, gently undoing the ropes around her wrists.

But the worst sting wasn't just the betrayal. It was the bitter truth that she had been left in the dark, like a fool, for so long. Ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous.

Once Jolene was free, Austin, Isaac, Jaxton, and Declan swarmed her, fussing over her like she was the only one that mattered.

Not a single one spared Kathryn a look; it was as if she didn't exist.

Kathryn just stood there, watching them carefully help Jolene out.

She closed her eyes tightly, a single tear slipping down her cheek.

But when she opened them again, the ugly faces of the kidnappers were right in front of her, their creepy smiles growing wider as they slowly moved closer.

One of them sneered, grabbing her chin roughly. "Look at you! Your own brothers don't want you, but don't worry, we'll look after you just fine. Can you believe they'd pick the changeling over you? Honestly, this whole mess was her idea-planned and paid for just to get rid of you, sweetheart." He laughed darkly before calling to his men, "No need to hurry. One at a time, boys... everyone gets their turn."

Kathryn's eyes snapped wide open, fury igniting her from head to toe.

"Get away!" she spat, struggling fiercely, only to be met with a sharp slap that made her head spin.

"Strong and stubborn, huh?" The scar-faced man sneered, ripping at her clothes. "Exactly the kind I like."

Backed into the corner with no way out, Kathryn could only watch as they circled her. She was tied up tight, completely trapped, and felt hopeless.

Then, just as she lowered her head in grim resignation, maybe even banging it against the wall, a deafening gunshot tore through the silence.

The kidnappers froze, eyes wide with fear, all looking toward where the shot came from.

Suddenly, like shadows, a dozen figures dressed in black stormed inside, lining up perfectly in two rows. The atmosphere instantly thickened with deadly intent.

At their forefront, a tall, commanding man stepped forward smoothly. The dim light caught the sharp lines of his jaw and the cold depths of his eyes, radiating a fierce, chilling presence. A sleek handgun rested in his hand, with smoke curling from the barrel.

"If you want to live, stop right now." The man's voice rang out-deep, magnetic, and utterly unyielding.

The man, Liam Warren, had been tracking traitors nearby, and this scene caught him off guard.

At first, he planned to walk away; betrayals and kidnappings were sadly common in these abandoned places.

However, just as he was turning to leave, a brief glimpse of Kathryn's pale yet determined face caught his attention, awakening a strange sense of familiarity within him.

Without a second thought, he fired.

The moment Liam showed up, the kidnappers started shaking like leaves in a storm. "Mr. Warren, we had no idea we were crossing you. Please, have mercy!"

They hung their heads low, regret written all over their faces. Everyone knew Liam was no joke. He ruled a massive empire that blurred the line between crime and legit business, and his ruthless reputation scared off anyone dumb enough to mess with him. Talk about bad luck running into him here!

Without even glancing at them, Liam strode directly to Kathryn and started untying her. But then, to his shock, she moved with lightning reflexes, snatching a dagger off the floor.

With a quick flash, the blade sank right into the throat of the kidnapper who had just tried to rape her.

Blood sprayed everywhere.

The remaining men froze in terror. "Who... who are you?" one stammered.

A cruel, wicked smile curved Kathryn's lips. "I'm the one who's sending you straight to hell."

Suddenly, the warehouse echoed with screams, desperate pleas, and the sickening cracks of breaking bones.

Kathryn stepped closer to the scar-faced leader, who was still breathing, his eyes wide with terror as though she were a terrifying monster.

"Talk. How much did Jolene pay you? What was the plan?" she demanded coldly.

The scarred man, trembling and stuttering, confessed, "She paid us five million to kidnap you. She figured your brothers would pick her... and then... then she wanted us to kill you after doing whatever we wanted..."

Kathryn's eyes gleamed steel. Jolene, her so-called brothers, and the fiance she had loved for three years would soon learn not to underestimate her.

She had craved their love and had bent over backwards to meet every demand from the Browns. Yet, they never accepted her and repeatedly crossed her boundaries. This time, she wouldn't show mercy. The Browns were fools for turning their backs on their own sister to protect Jolene, the changeling. She was done holding on.

"Get out of here, and don't ever come back!" Kathryn ordered sharply.

Terrified, the kidnappers scattered and disappeared quickly.

Liam observed quietly, intrigued by her.

He had assumed she was helpless, but instead, she was strong and fierce, nothing like what he expected.

Kathryn faced Liam and sincerely said, "Thank you for today."

Just as Liam was about to respond, a sudden wave of blood, metallic and bitter, surged up his throat.

He coughed violently, spitting out a mouthful as his body wobbled and his face drained of color.

Kathryn's eyes narrowed as she noticed his distress. Frowning, she steadied him and asked, "You've been poisoned, haven't you?"

Liam hesitated, then looked at her and said, "How did you figure that out?"

The toxin inside him was unusually rare. Its symptoms were subtle and impossible for most doctors to detect. So how did she manage to spot it immediately?

Kathryn studied his condition carefully, then slowly let go of his hand and stated with confidence, "This poison has been in your system for about a month. If it's not treated soon, it could cause serious damage."

Liam's voice was low as he asked, "Can you get rid of it?"

And indeed, she was right.

Apparently, someone close to him had been bought off by the Serpents to poison him, and even after posting a big reward on the DarkNet, Liam hadn't found anyone capable of reversing the damage.

"Do you trust me enough? If so, hand me your hand," Kathryn asked firmly.

Liam met her steady, resolute gaze. Normally cautious and wary, something in her made him answer instinctively, "I trust you."

"Hold still." Without hesitation, Kathryn drew a small blade, took his hand, and made a precise cut on his index finger, causing a drop of blackened blood to ooze out.

"Mr. Warren!" one of his men shouted, rushing over in alarm.

"We don't have the equipment to fully remove the poison here, but we can let out some of the toxins to slow it down for now," Kathryn explained calmly.

After some time, Liam noticed the symptoms easing and felt considerably better.

He glanced at Kathryn, noticing beads of sweat on her brow and a focused, intense look. "If you need anything, just say the word," he said softly.

Kathryn shook her head. "No need to thank me. Think of this as paying you back for saving me with that shot earlier. I'll make sure this poison is completely gone from your body."

Liam's eyes narrowed slightly. There was something mysterious about her he couldn't quite figure out.

"Until it's fully out of my system, you're going to have to stick close to me," he ordered with quiet authority.

He was a man who never let anyone, especially women, get that close. But with Kathryn, he broke his own rule for the first time.

She didn't seem fazed and just raised an eyebrow. "Fine," she said. "But you'll have to provide food and shelter. Though first, I need to go back home and cut off all connections with the Browns."

Liam smirked slightly. "Deal."

When Kathryn arrived home, she found her biological parents and three brothers gathered around Jolene, showering her with all kinds of care and attention. A bitter laugh escaped her lips as she took it all in.

Without wasting a second, she closed the distance between them and grabbed a handful of Jolene's hair.

Before anyone could react, Kathryn slapped her hard across the face, the sharp smack echoing loudly through the room.

The Brown family stood frozen, completely stunned to see it was Kathryn who had just hit Jolene. Hadn't she been with those kidnappers?

Jolene held her cheek, crying out in disbelief, "Kathryn, have you completely lost it?"

Austin was the first to snap out of his shock. "Kathryn, what are you doing? You come home and start hitting Jolene? You better apologize right now!"

Anne Brown, their mother, frowned deeply, crossing her arms. "Kathryn, what kind of trouble are you stirring up this time? Since you've come back, there's been nothing but chaos. Maybe we never should have taken you in."

Kathryn shook her head, finding their accusations almost laughable. "Me? Causing trouble? Why don't you ask Jolene what she's really done? She's the one who set up that whole kidnapping to get rid of me."

When Kathryn was born, she was intentionally switched with the nanny's own daughter, Jolene, and then left to be abandoned. Luckily, Kathryn was adopted and raised by a mentor who cared for her deeply.

About six months ago, the Brown family discovered the truth and brought Kathryn back home.

But because they favored Jolene, who had been carefully groomed and was skilled at manipulation, they treated Kathryn coldly.

Jolene kept framing Kathryn, and even when her lies were uncovered, the Browns always forgave Jolene. This left Kathryn feeling deeply hurt and disappointed.

Anne was caught off guard by Kathryn's retort-and by how far she'd taken it. Her expression clouded with displeasure. "Jolene would never do something like that. You're misunderstanding the situation."

"Misunderstanding?" Kathryn's voice dropped low but sharp as a knife. "The kidnapper confessed it all. How can you just brush that off?"

Anne hesitated, then sighed heavily. "Why are you being so stubborn? Jolene got hurt too, but she's been doing everything she can to help find you. What more could you possibly want?"

"What do I want? I want out of this family. From now on, I won't care about any of you!"

Saying that, Kathryn turned and went upstairs to pack. After some time, when she came back down, Jolene's voice stopped her in her tracks.

Jolene was holding onto Anne, her nails digging into her own hand, but her face was pale and full of tears. "Kathryn, you've got it all wrong. How could I have anything to do with those kidnappers? They're ruthless monsters. If I had planned anything, how did you manage to come home alive?"

Rage bubbled under Jolene's tears. This kidnapping was supposed to be foolproof. Kathryn was meant to be violated and left for dead. How could things have gone so wrong?

Kathryn laughed coldly. "Looks like you won't admit the truth until you're staring it straight in the face."

She didn't even look at Jolene anymore. Instead, she fixed her gaze on the Browns, her eyes calm but filled with a deep, bitter resignation. "You all think I'm lying, that I'm just being stubborn and unreasonable, right?"

Anne frowned. "Isn't that exactly what's happening? Jolene has laid out her side very clearly."

"Oh, I see," Kathryn said, pulling her phone out slowly. "Then let me clarify things a bit more for you."

Static hissed through the speaker, and then two voices filled the room-the first Jolene's, the second a sleazy man's, unmistakably the kidnapper's leader.

"When it's done, the last payment will be twice as much. I want her completely destroyed-no chance of her ever returning to the Browns!"

"Don't worry. My men will handle everything, and we might even capture some unforgettable shots, haha!" the man responded with a laugh.

"Make sure it's done quietly. No evidence that connects back to me, got it?"

"Understood! You can trust us to get the job done."

Though the recording was short, every word was crystal clear, each sentence landing heavily.

The living room sank into a heavy silence, so still that even the faintest sound seemed loud.

Jolene suddenly stopped crying, her face turning pale as her whole body shook with fear.

The Browns stared at her in stunned disbelief.

"No... this can't be real. It must be fake!" Jolene yelled desperately.

"Fake?" Kathryn's eyes flashed with icy contempt. "Do you want me to send this to a professional for verification? Or maybe call the police and let them handle it? After all, attempted kidnapping isn't something to take lightly."

"No! You can't call the cops!" Jolene's voice cracked as she broke down. Switching tactics, tears streaming, she pleaded, "Kathryn, I'm sorry, please hear me out. It's not what it seems. Don't be angry. I'm the one who should leave this house. I'm the outsider here..."

The Browns softened at her tears, their expressions shifting to sympathy. They looked at Kathryn like she was being unreasonable.

"Kathryn, Jolene's apologized. Just drop it," Anne urged, his brows furrowed in concern.

Kathryn watched this absurd spectacle with a sinking feeling in her chest. Even with solid proof, they were falling for Jolene's act.

Grabbing her luggage, Kathryn declared, "It's either her or me. Since you've chosen her, I'm out of here."

Her determined exit left the Browns speechless, with Anne stomping her foot in frustration. "Can you believe she actually has the guts to walk away?"

Taking advantage of the moment, Jolene burst into tears. "I'll do whatever it takes to bring her back. I'll even leave the house myself if that's what it takes."

Anne hugged her tightly. "Don't say that. You're my precious daughter, and you're not going anywhere."

Laurence Brown, their father, nodded angrily. "Exactly. That troublemaker Kathryn has upset everything since she came back. If she wants to leave, so be it. She's grown up and can manage on her own."

"That's right," Austin added. "Jolene's beautiful and kind. There's no way Kathryn can even come close to her."

Jolene hesitated, biting her lip. "But she owns 35% of the company's shares. What if she tries to mess things up using that?"