Swapped by My Sister,I Made My New Family Prosper

Arlene Sanchez POV:

The wheels rumbled steadily over blackstone paving, the monotonous, lulling drone of the carriage seeping into my bones. Leaning back against the velvet cushion, I closed my eyes—but the memories of my past life surged forth unbidden, impossible to contain.

“Miss, you look unwell. Would you like to rest?”

A young girl named Clara sat across from me, twisting her fingers nervously in her lap. This was our first meeting in this lifetime. She held out a cup of warm water, her gaze clouded with concern.

My chest twinged with sharp pain as I stared at her anxious face. In my past life, it had been her. During the final days of my captivity, she had snuck me scraps of food and water. And in the end, she had been beaten to death by Dominic’s men while trying to shield me.

This lifetime, I swore silently. I would not let her meet the same cruel fate.

“I am fine,” I murmured, taking the cup from her hand.

The carriage rolled through the gates of Vorrath Keep, and the bustle of the city faded behind us. I lifted the carriage curtain, watching the scenery rush past, and my thoughts drifted back to where all my ruin had begun.

In my former life, I had stayed with the Kowalski family, desperate to earn my father’s approval. I studied military strategy relentlessly, even forcing my way into the all-male Human War Academy as a woman.

I devised battle plans for my eldest brother Dominic, helping him win glory after glory in the border skirmishes against the vampires. For my second brother Conrad, I covered up his crime of assault while drunk, spending every coin I had saved to quiet the victim’s family.

I thought my sacrifices would win me acceptance from my blood kin. All I received in return was exploitation, more ruthless by the day.

Katharina’s face rose in my mind, always wearing that innocent, sweet smile. She had stolen the poems I had written and presented them as her own at the High Court’s Verse Recital. She dazzled the assembly and caught the eye of Julian Montgomery, the Regent Heir.

Meanwhile, she framed me. I was accused of poisoning her out of jealousy for her talent. My father Lucien locked me away in confinement.

The deadliest betrayal came from my betrothal to Julian. The Kowalskis had arranged the match to climb into the Regent’s favour. Foolishly, I had believed it might be my escape from this household.

But when Kaelen the Bloodrinker, the Vampire King, unleashed full-scale war, the Kowalski family cast me aside without hesitation.

They declared publicly that I, Julian’s fiancée, would travel voluntarily to the deadly Frost Border to raise troop morale. The truth was they wanted me to “die honourably”, trading my life for political prestige for House Kowalski.

The final memory burned bright: inside a fallen fortress, soaked in my own blood. I had summoned my last strength to beat back one wave of vampires, waiting and hoping for reinforcements.

Instead, my eldest brother Dominic stepped out of the smoke, surrounded by his personal guards. He looked at me as if I were garbage.

“Arlene. Your death will bring the greatest benefit to our house. You ought to feel honoured.”

I had gasped out my question, raw and broken: “Why? I am also of Kowalski blood!”

Dominic laughed, a cruel, cold sound. “You? You are only a mongrel carrying that woman’s blood. Katharina is Father’s beloved daughter, the true treasure of House Kowalski.”

Then the shard of dragon’s blood in his hand pierced my heart. The agony felt as though my soul was torn apart. I would never forget it.

A violent jolt of the carriage wrenched me out of the nightmare. I gasped for air, cold sweat beading on my forehead.

“Miss, did you have a terrible dream?” Clara’s voice shook with alarm.

I shook my head, steadying my ragged breathing. “I was only remembering something terrible.”

I glanced out the window. The outline of Beaumont Manor rose in the distance, warm and peaceful beneath the sunlight, a stark contrast to the grim military compound of the Kowalski household.

In my past life, my mother Elena had sent messengers many times to fetch me away. But my father and brothers blocked every attempt. They filled my head with lies, telling me she had abandoned me, stoking resentment in my heart until I turned away from her.

I only learned the truth from an old servant, moments before I died. Mother had never given up on me. She had married into House Beaumont and plotted patiently, gathering power little by little, all so she could one day pull me free from the Kowalski’s grasp.

But all her waiting ended when news of my death reached her.

I closed my eyes and felt my heart beating strong and alive in my chest. This life, I would not miss my chance.

House Kowalski. Dominic. Conrad. Katharina. Lucien. Every debt you owe me will be repaid, tenfold.

And Mother. This time, I will protect you.

The carriage slowed to a halt. Clara’s voice sounded beside me. “Miss, we have arrived.”

I opened my eyes. All traces of vulnerability and grief vanished. Nothing remained but icy calm and unshakable resolve. I smoothed the fabric of my gown, ready for my new life — and my first battle.