Filed To Story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family
[Oh, Mr. Albright, I never thought you were this kind of person. I’ve underestimated you all this time.]
[Come on, everyone has a birthday. If you try to blackmail Bella with that, I swear I’ll make a wish at my birthday bash to stop her from taking over your legacy.]
Was it really necessary to be that harsh?!?
Meanwhile, at the other side.
Serena, paralyzed with fear, hadn’t even come down for lunch. The help had to bring her meal to her room.
When Eunice reached the door, she heard from the staff that Serena’s hands were trembling so badly that she could barely hold her cutlery.
She looked like she was still reeling from last night’s ordeal.
“Serena,” Eunice knocked on the door and without waiting for a response, she pushed it open, “I’m coming in.”
Hearing Eunice’s voice, Serena looked up with anxious eyes and uttered timidly, “Aunt Eunice.”
“Still not over it?” Eunice asked as she entered, finding Serena curled up on an armchair, her feet not even daring to touch the floor. The fear in her eyes seemed genuine.
“It’s so dark in here. Why don’t you let some sunshine in?” Eunice walked over to the window and drew back the curtains.
The sound of the curtains sliding sent a shiver through Serena, and as the sunlight streamed in, she squinted, finding it almost blinding and unreal.Eunice sat down on the sofa opposite her and, noticing the untouched meal on the table, asked casually, “Not hungry?”
“Yeah.” Serena just hugged her knees tighter, her long hair cascading down and framing her overtly startled face.
“What’s up with the kitchen staff? Knowing you had such a scare last night, yet they cooked up this bloody mess. Blood sausage, and what’s with the black sesame seeds sprinkled on these egg whites?
They look like dead men’s eyeballs.”
At the sight, Serena’s fear intensified.
Eunice watched her reaction and continued, “Serena, tell me, do people die with their eyes open or closed?”
Serena looked at Eunice, alarmed, “Aunt Eunice, I don’t understand what you mean by that.”
“Nothing. Just making conversation. It’s just that I happened to notice these eyeballs, oh, I mean these egg whites. Don’t overthink it,” Eunice smiled gently and sweetly.
But Serena couldn’t bear to look any longer.
“Serena, dear, if you remember anything about last night, you let me know.” Eunice spoke softly, “I’ve had people looking into it, but no leads so far. You know I don’t take kindly to threats. Remember when you were a kid and someone pulled your hair, and pushed you down? I gave that bully a piece of my mind. You know my temperament.”
Serena eyed the stylish woman with the short hair and red lips. Her voice was soft, her smile beautiful, but Serena could sense an underlying warning in her words.”In business, I’m the same way. I’m willing to give my competitors a chance, but if they don’t appreciate it, well, let’s just say they won’t get a second one,” Eunice’s smile grew even more enchanting.
Yet Serena dared not meet her eyes.
“I’ve said before, Bella finally came back to this family, and I just want to make things right for her. She nearly had an accident on my turf, someone tried to have her killed. If I find out who’s behind it, what do you think I should do? Expose their deeds for all to see, let them rot in jail for life, or maybe just chop them up and feed them to the fish?”
Serena couldn’t quite fathom the woman before her. She was the epitome of elegance and intellect, but her words sent chills down Serena’s spine.
“Serena, you’ve been at Dawnstar for a while now, and we haven’t had a proper sit-down chat. You’re leaving soon. Is there anything you’d like to tell me?”
Eunice’s smile was gentle and beautiful as she spoke, “I’ve cherished you for eighteen years, honey.
You wouldn’t leave without even saying a word to me, would you?”
“What exactly are you trying to say, Aunt Eunice?”
“I know you’re still a kid at heart, love. There are some things you might not know how to handle, so I thought maybe I could help you.”
“You still suspect that I had something to do with what happened last night, don’t you?” Serena lifted her gaze, a touch of hurt in her eyes as she bit her lower lip, asking sadly, “Am I right?”
“Is this incident related to you in any way?”
Tears began to stream down Serena’s face, her eyes filled with an unbearable sense of injustice. She seemed to be holding back her emotions, but the sense of being wronged made her reveal a hint of resentment.
“Why do you have to think so poorly of me, Aunt Eunice? If my sister had never come back to this family, if there had never been any mix-up, would you still think of me this way?”
Looking into Eunice’s eyes with profound sadness, Serena asked, “If I were still your biological niece, if I still shared blood with this family, if I were still the same old Serena I’ve always been, would you still believe that I was capable of such a thing?”
Eunice remained silent; her beautiful eyes gave nothing away.
“Just because I’m not the flesh and blood of this family, you think you can throw any accusation at me.
If one day it turns out that I have nothing to do with this, will you feel even the slightest bit of guilt for how you’ve treated me today?”Eunice’s gaze fell upon her, but she still said nothing.
Serena laughed, though her smile was laced with bitterness and sorrow, “I know you won’t. Because in your eyes, I’m no longer your dear niece. Now you have my sister, who is more capable and impressive than I am. The less she speaks, the more you all think she’s better than me. Isn’t that right?”
“Serena.”
Eunice seemed like someone who had weathered great storms; the slight turbulence before her did nothing to disturb the calm composure of her smile and gaze.
“You might have forgotten, but I’ve only just returned to this family. After what I’ve been through, I look at everyone with fresh eyes, not like your grandparents, whose image of you is frozen in the past. A
person who lived under the identity of her sister for eighteen years, fighting over simple things like a breakfast burrito or a cheesy omelette, completely disregarding the hardships she endured all these years; A person who deliberately hid her sister’s true identity, allowing her boyfriend to believe her ‘fiancé’ was seduced by her sister.”
“A person who doesn’t even care when her own boyfriend is hurt, not sparing him a single look of concern. Someone who, even when drunk, can’t stop thinking about her brother-in-law. Do you think I can look at her with the same eyes as before?”
Serena looked up, her emotions complex as she faced the woman before her.
“I watched you grow up, thinking I knew you. But it turns out I didn’t know you at all; you’ve become a stranger to me. Since we’ve come this far, I will ask you straight. Did you do it? Did you kill him?”
Serena closed her eyes in despair, letting the tears fall freely before finally replying, “No, I didn’t.”Before Eunice could respond, Serena continued, “No matter if you’re straightforward or beating around the bush with your questions, the answer is no. I won’t admit to something I didn’t do. How he died has nothing to do with me, and if you’re only here to talk about that, then there’s nothing left for us to discuss.”
Eunice looked into her eyes and simply said, “Alright, then we won’t discuss it.”
Serena was taken aback, looking at her aunt with a mix of surprise and confusion.
She didn’t come off as a pushover.
“Anyway, I’ve said my piece.” Eunice chuckled, shifting into a more graceful posture, and declared with effortless poise, “Whoever thinks about hiring a hitman to take out Bella, or playing dirty tricks behind the scenes, they won’t get off lightly with me. Of course, I hope it’s not you, but if it is, I’ve just given you a fair warning, and you chose to ignore it.”
Having finished her piece, she stood up, smoothed out her dress, and was about to leave when something seemed to strike her. She turned back with a smile, “Oh yes, when I mentioned someone wanting to hire a hitman to kill Bella, you didn’t seem surprised at all. It’s as if you already knew, as if hiring a hitman and the incident last night are connected.”
Serena’s face showed a flicker of change as she looked at Eunice.
“Goodbye, and godspeed,” Eunice said without further ado and left the room.
Watching her leave, Serena felt the familial bond with Eunice thinning with each step she took away.
An hour later.
The estate’s helipad bustled with servants shuttling luggage and gifts back and forth.
“These gifts are from me and your uncle, for your parents, and some are for you.” Eunice said, straightening Mirabella’s clothes gently and whispering in her ear, “Stay safe on your way back, dear. I will speed up the investigation, and I’ll make good on my promise within a week.”
Mirabella knew her aunt referred to rooting out the remaining threats.
“I hope it won’t bring you too much trouble, Aunt Eunice.”When Serena came down, she caught Eunice whispering intimately with Mirabella, both laughing merrily. Bard, Belinda, Darren, and the rest of the family were bidding a reluctant farewell to Mirabella, who seemed to be the heart of the home.
Whether it was sorrow or envy, Serena found herself rooted to the spot.
May hugged Mirabella tightly, “Miss Collins, I’ll come to find you at Reflections Villa during the holidays with Mrs. Belinda Griffith.”
“Come on, it’s not like a final goodbye,” Belinda chuckled.
“Bella, make sure to spend some quality time with Romeo. Don’t leave the poor guy lonesome.”
Mirabella laughed, “I will.”
“Serena, you’re here too?” Bard noticed Serena standing a little way off. He called out, “Come here, Serena. Once you and Bella are safely home, give me a call or send a message.”
“I’m not taking this flight,” Mirabella clarified, “I’m going back with Romeo.”
The group, taken aback, then remembered that she and Romeo were the couple. Romeo had come to Dawnstar for her, and naturally, he would return with her.
“Has Romeo wrapped up his business here? When did this happen?” Darren inquired with concern.
“Just now.”
Mirabella had just packed her bags and received a call from Romeo. She had intended to inform her aunt and uncle but seeing them heading towards the helipad, she decided to go downstairs and tell them in person.But to Serena, this came off as a blatant show-off. Mirabella had plenty of chances to mention it earlier, yet she waited until Serena arrived to drop the news. If this wasn’t intentional, what was it??
“Having Romeo take care of you on the road makes me feel so much more at ease.” Belinda said with a smile, gently patting Mirabella’s head, “Once you arrive, give me a call or shoot a message whenever you can.”
“And me, too,” Darren quickly added, “sometimes your grandma might be in the shower or asleep and can’t respond right away. If it’s urgent, give me a call.”
“Will do.” Mirabella gave them a gentle look, “Well, I should be off. His car is waiting outside.”
“Safe travels.” Eunice said, her eyes filled with affection as she watched Mirabella, “No matter how busy you get when you’re back, don’t forget to eat, and if you need any help, just tell me.”
“And don’t forget about your uncle.” Bard chimed in fondly, “If there’s anything I can help with, just let me know.”
“I will.” Mirabella could feel the full force of their love and care, and her heart softened in response.