Filed To Story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family
Could it all have been lies?
“Serena, Martin is your boyfriend. How could you keep such matters from him?” Aunt Eunice chided from the head of the table. “Aren’t you two supposed to be the closest of confidants?”
Serena was at a loss, her mind a blank slate, unable to muster a single word in her defense.
Martin stepped forward, the epitome of contrition. “This isn’t on Serena, it’s my fault for not asking the right questions.”
Serena’s eyes lifted in disbelief, her heart swelling in her chest. The boy beside her, still standing up for her even now.
Emotions swirled in her gaze, a cocktail of gratitude and shock.
Her nose tingled, and she was a blink away from tears.
“I’m sorry,’ Martin said, turning to Romeo with a bow of his head, a gentleman’s apology. “I thought you were being fickle, flaunting your new flame in front of Serena just to hurt her.”
At those words, Romec’s brow raised. Flaunting? His and Bella’s affection was genuine, no show needed.
“Especially after bumping into you several times today, I assumed you were trying to make Serena feel small.
Plus, I was clueless that Mirabella was a Collins, and that your engagement to her was a given. Seeing you outside Aunt Eunice’s place, I thought you were there to rub it in Serena’s face.”
That was why he had stepped out of the car, ready to throw a punch, feeling they had crossed a line.
“I figured as much; Mirabella said, having anticipated this. That was why she had kindly warned him he was no match for Romeo, and picking a fight wouldn’t end well for him.Martin hadn’t expected the girl before him to be so understanding. He bowed again, more earnestly this time.
“I’m sorry for the misunderstanding.”
“No harm done. You took a hit from Romeo, so let’s call it even’ Mirabella said, noticing the swelling on his face, a clear sign Romeo didn’t pull his punches. In this round, they had the upper hand on Martin.
“Please, have a seat,’ Eunice gestured for Martin to join them. “Now that we’ve cleared the air, let’s move on.
Your granddad and uncle aren’t here today, and I apologize if I haven’t played the hostess well. The tea’s getting cold, and the pastries won’t taste as good.”
They each picked up a treat, lost in thought.
Eunice’s phone rang. It was one of her associates.
“Excuse me, I need to take this.”
As Eunice stepped away to take the call, Martin’s gaze drifted back to Serena, sizing her up, or perhaps reassessing.
Serena didn’t respond, didn’t even meet his eyes for a fleeting second.
Meanwhile, Romeo and Mirabella shared a tender smile, their eyes filled with unspoken affection.
“Alright, I’ll be there soon’ Eunice said after hanging up, smiling apologetically. “Sorry, I’ve got to handle something urgent. Make yourselves at home. It’s your place too. Bella, Serena, while it’s still early, why don’t you show your partners around? I’ll have to excuse myself.”
“Aunt Eunice,’ Mirabella began, wondering if her help was needed.Eunice patted her head as she passed, reassuring her. “Don’t worry, I’ve got this.”
Comforted, Mirabella nodded. “Come back soon.”
“I will” Eunice said, then turned to Romeo with a satisfied look. “Keep Bella company: “will do.”
No sooner had Eunice left than Serena dashed through another door, heading straight for the garden.
“Serena!” Martin called after her, hurrying to catch up.
Romeo, embracing the girl in front of him, whispered tenderly, “Aunt Eunice said to show me around. I’d love to see your room.”
“Who invites someone straight to their room?” Mirabella teased, wrapping her arms around his waist in response to his embrace.
“The room holds the essence of you. I want to see what your everyday life is like.”
“You’ve seen my everyday life. Are you pretending we haven’t shared the same room before?”
Her words drew him closer, his voice deepening. “You’re getting quite the flirt, aren’t you?”
Mirabella was puzzled: How had she flirted with him?
“The fire you’ve started. Aren’t you going to put it out?” Romeo chuckled lowly, his gaze on her filled with adoration.
In the background, the staff melted into puddles of envy at the display of affection.
“Oh my gosh, they are so adorable together.”
“Mr. McMillian seems really into Ms. Bella. Just look at the way he gazes at her. It’s like he’s trying to sweeten her up with his eyes!”
“When are they getting hitched, for heaven’s sake? I can’t wait!”
Their excited chatter reached Romeo’s ears. He offered a warm smile, lifting his eyes towards them, “I’ll make sure you guys get an invitation well in advance.”
The staff were gobsmacked, never imagining they’d score an invite to Romeo and Ms. Bella’s wedding.
The joy was so sudden, they started cheering in excitement.
“Thank you, Mr. McMillian!”
“Mr. McMillian, here’s to a lifetime of happiness for you and Ms. Bella, and may you be blessed with a family soon!”
Romeo looked towards Mirabella with interest, his eyes all but asking: You hearing this?
“Mr. McMillian and Ms. Bella, wish you a love that’s everlasting!”
“May you two find joy and love eternal!”
“To Mr. McMillian and Ms. Bella —- may you grow old together, in unwavering unity!”
Mirabella suddenly felt as if she were about to walk down the aisle.
Wasn’t all this jubilation a bit premature?“Thank you.” Romeo accepted their well-wishes with the grace and generosity of a true gentleman, his gaze returning to Mirabella once again.
The servants nearby were nearly swooning under his tender look. Who would have thought the usually stoic and cold Romeo had such a warm and gentle side?
Ms. Bella was the lucky one, destined to spend her life with such a handsome face doting on her.
In the garden.
Serena was running so fast she stumbled and fell to the ground.
Martin rushed over to help her up, “Serena, are you alright? Did you hurt yourself?”
“Back off.” Serena pushed him away, but her knee was in so much pain, she couldn’t stand and had to sit on the grass, sulking on her own.
“Did you hurt your knee?” Martin asked with concern, “Let me have a look.”
“I don’t need your help.”
“Serena!” Seeing her turn her face away, refusing to look at him, he went ahead and scooped her into his arms.
“What are you doing, Martin? Put me down!”
“The ground is cold and damp. You could catch a cold.” Martin carried her to a nearby swing seat and gently set her down, insisting, “Wait here and don’t move. I’ll be right back.”
He went back to the house, grabbed a first aid kit from a servant, and returned promptly.
Serena watched him kneel down and start to roll up her pants.“Martin.”
“What’s with all these bruises?” Martin worked quickly and noticed the marks on her shin and knee, “How did you get all banged up? When did this happen? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“It’s none of your business!”
“You’re my girlfriend. If it’s not my business, then whose is it?”
The thought that she had gone out with him today carrying all those bruises made Martin’s heart ache and sorrow fill him, “Did you fall by yourself, or is there something else going on? Has anyone been giving you trouble?”
Serena sat in silence, a storm of emotions brewing within her.
“Serena?” Martin, noticing her reluctance to speak, simply opened the first-aid kit and began to tend to her wounds.
As Serena watched his concerned and earnest expression, she couldn’t help but retract her foot. “You know now, I’m not the Collins heiress. Why are you still here? You can leave!”
“Stay still,” Martin said, gently pulling her foot back into place and resuming his work.
“I don’t deserve you, Mr. Martin, didn’t you hear me? Go away!”
Martin paused in his ministrations and looked up, meeting the gaze of the girl perched on the swing chair.
“Having second thoughts?”
Serena was taken aback.
“Did I disappoint you today? Is that it?”
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.