Filed To Story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family
Serena wasnt really worried about his injuries; she was worried about keeping up her facade.Eunice led the way, her figure commanding and elegant.
Serena’s mind was a mess, but she steeled herself to follow.
Romeo, holding Mirabella’s hand, softened his gaze, “Meeting the parents already?”
“Isn’t this exactly what you wanted?”
“I didn’t come prepared, empty-handed.” Romeo felt a bit rude.
“Aunt Eunice doesn’t care much for gifts. She cares about whether you are a good guy.”
“Then I’ll make sure to make a good impression.”
In the living room.
Eunice sat in the seat of honor, her curls and red lipstick flawless, radiating authority.
She directed the servants to serve tea, her lips curving into a smile, “Your uncle’s out, and your grandpa’s already gone to bed.”
Mirabella showed concern, “Is Grandpa’s health improving?”
“Following your advice, he got his X-rays done, just as you suspected, no fractures or ligament damage. The doctor praised your medicine, even wanted to bulk purchase it for the hospital. I told therm you made it yourself.”
Martin was taken aback. It seemed Romeo’s new flame had medical knowledge. She could even make her own medicine that impressed a doctor. And she used it on her grandfather.
“Bella, the cost of making your medicine must be high, huh?” Eunice’s smile grew, “The doctor said such good medicine would fetch a high price on the market, easily a thousand or two.”“Much more.” Romeo looked at Mirabella tenderly, “Even ten times that wouldn’t be enough to buy it”
“That popular?” Eunice laughed with approval, “Seems the doctor didn’t realize what he had, undervaluing your medicine.
“As long as grandpa is okay, that’s all that matters.” Mirabella finally felt relieved.
“With you here, grandpa will always bounce back.”
The servants brought in tea and snacks, and Eunice instructed, “Fetch the first-aid kit.”
She turned to Mirabella, asking with a smile, “For Martin’s condition, what medicine would be best?”
Mirabella knew his injury wasn’t severe, just a punch, and if it were the old her, she wouldn’t have needed any medicine.
“An ice pack for the swelling, any simple analgesic will do,” Mirabella still offered her suggestion.
“Perfect, we’ve got disposable ice packs and some aspirin.” Eunice pulled out these items from the first-aid kit and sent a servant to give them to Martin.
Martin thanked her and was just about to apply the ointment when he heard Eunice ask, “Serena, aren’t you going to lend a hand?”
It was then Serena realized that in front of her aunt, she might seem a tad “indifferent” as Martin’s girlfriend.
“No need, I’ve got this’ Martin said gently, giving Serena a tender look. “Serena’s hands are made for playing the piano.”
At the mention of “playing the piano,” Eunice’s curiosity was piqued. “Serena, I heard from your grandpa that you won first place at your last piano competition. What sort of competition was it?”
She seemed genuinely interested.
“It was a national contest, Serena replied, her expression betraying a hint of guilt.
Romeo, seated across from them, chimed in, “It was judged by people under Bella’s wing.”
“Oh?” Eunice was surprised, her gaze shifting to Romeo. “What do you mean by that?”
“There’s a piano competition every year in the country, and Bella is a top judge. She rarely gets involved in the judging herself. It’s usually her team that does it”
Not just Eunice, but even Martin and Serena were taken aback, especially Serena. She couldn’t believe her first-place win had been decided by people under Mirabella’s command!
“So Bella is?”
“Melody.”Romeos revelation left both Eunice and Martin completely stunned.
Melody was a legend in the piano world, unmatched to this day.
She had claimed countless prestigious awards both domestically and internationally, ranked alongside Leonard as a master of the craft!
There had been a buzz in showbiz about someone offering $10,000 for a single note, hoping to commission Melody to compose a custom piece, but she had declined. Her reason was simple: she didn’t need the money.
She was too busy!
Eunice was also a fan of Melody’s piano compositions and had never imagined that the piano maestro she adored was none other than her niece!
What was more, she knew Jasmine, the president of the Piano Association back home. Jasmine was a highly accomplished pianist herself, having won numerous awards from a young age. She always praised Melody, claiming her skills surpassed her own, even considerably.
And now, to think that Jasmine held in such high regard was her own niece, Bella!
Eunice could barely contain her excitement and joy, instantly becoming a fangirl. “You’re Melody? I love your compositions!”
Martin was dumbfounded. He knew full well how skilled Melody was at the piano, but the young woman before him was just in her twenties. How could she possibly be Melody?
Yet if she wasn’t, why would Romeo lie in front of his aunt.What puzzled him even more was that Eunice and Mirabella seemed to be family, yet not quite. Eunice didn’t even know she was Melody, but she still called her “Aunt Eunice’.
What on earth was going on?
“My niece turns out to be a piano master of such talent and adoration,” Eunice gushed, lavishing praise. “This is such a surprise for me. Your uncle and grandfather would be so proud if they knew.”
Serena had known about Mirabella’s alter ego as Melody, but she hadn’t expected that on her first time bringing her boyfriend home to meet her aunt, the entire time would be spent in admiration of Mirabella.
Praising her medical expertise, her artistic talent.
They were completely forgotten, reduced to mere backdrop!
“We’ll have to have you play a couple of pieces for me later!”
Mirabella couldn’t help but smile at her aunt’s enthusiasm. “Of course.”
“Fantastic!” Aunt Eunice beamed, her smile so wide it looked like her face might split in two. “Then, I won’t hold back. Oh, I’m just so fond of you!”
Realizing she might have gotten a tad too excited, especially with Martin and Serena around, Eunice cleared her throat and regained her composure. “Now, my dear nephews-in-law, you haven’t told me, what was the misunderstanding about? And what’s this I hear about a scuffle right on your own doorstep?”
Romeos piercing gaze shifted to Martin.
“Before we delve into that; Martin began, with a hint of hesitation, “may I be so bold as to ask who this is?” His eyes moved to Mirabella.
Eunice’s eyes widened in surprise, glancing between Martin and Serena in confusion. “What’s the matter?
Serena, haven’t you introduced your sister to your boyfriend?”
Serena’s face drained of color, the inevitable confrontation she dreaded was unfolding before her.
She attempted a reassuring smile, but it faltered and failed. Eunice immediately sensed something was amiss.
“This is Mirabella, the Collins family’s prized gem, my very own niece,’ Eunice introduced with a touch of pride.
At the mention of “niece,” Martin looked startled, his gaze lingering thoughtfully.“Eighteen years ago, there was a mix-up at the hospital when it caught fire. Louisa took the wrong child home, mistaking Serena for Bella.”
Martin turned to look at the girl beside him, bewildered as to why she never mentioned any of this.
“Bella was found just six months ago. Since Serena’s parents were nowhere to be found, the Collins family took her in. Since then, Bella has been considered the elder sister, and she, the younger.”
Serena’s pride and self-respect crumbled as Eunice narrated the tale, leaving her utterly defeated.
She could feel Martin’s astonished and incredulous gaze on her, but she dared not meet his eyes.
Was Martin now weighing whether a girl of such humble origins was worth staying with?
The Cooper family might not match the McMillians’ status, but they were head and shoulders above the average family.
If she couldn’t even hold on to Martin’s heart…
What hope did she have of securing the affections of any wealthy suitor with her lowly beginnings?
“So, the engagement has been transferred to Mirabella, the elder sister”
Serena’s forced use of “sister” meant Martin too had to afford the same respect, but his tone revealed his shock.
Serena had never mentioned any of this before!
Romeo, who had been silent across the table, finally spoke up. “Before Bella returned to this household, my encounters with Serena were few and far between. I originally came here to call off our engagement, but upon seeing Bella, and recalling our past connection, I realized my fondness for her.
That’s the only reason the engagement between our families wasn’t terminated.”Eunice was taken aback by this revelation. Romeo was ready to disregard years of family friendship over the engagement to Serena.
It was clear proof that he harbored no romantic feelings for Serena!
From the beginning, he genuinely did not care for her!
Martin was again so shocked he found himself speechless, staring at the girl beside him, unable to reconcile the image she had painted of Romeo’s affections with reality.
New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.