Filed To Story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family
Where did that leave her dignity?
“What am I to you? Someone to get engaged or disengaged with at your whim? Have you ever considered my feelings?” Serena finally lashed out.
“And what about my feelings? Have you ever cared, ever? You knew my mother had a heart condition, yet you had someone push her down the stairs.” Martin’s voice was laced with agony as he accused, “You caused a car accident trying to kill my sister.
If it weren’t for her luck, would she even have a chance to be in there, fighting for her life? You caused an accident, implicating an innocent driver. This is murder—you tried to take three lives, just to vent your own frustrations, how can you be so cruel? Are you really Serena? I don’t even recognize you anymore.”
Serena, watching Martin break down, felt a twinge of guilt and unease.
Did he know everything?
Who could have told him?
Stinger?
That’s impossible.
Even though Stinger had been out of touch for two days, he ‘e fiercely
I al. hey wiolOGiC Ta er. There s no chance of him betraying her.
Then how did Martin find out?
As long as Stinger didn’t confess, was there any evidence that could be traced back to her?
“You’re still wondering whether I have evidence, right?” Martin’s self-mockery hit a peak as he orm!
aught prerin eHer you don’t feel the slightest remorse for your murderous actions, and all you think about is how to get away with it, how to deceive me, to make me think you’re innocent!”
Serena’s complexion turned gloomy.
“I finally understand why the Collins family kicked you out, and why, m Se ediinansianent with yoola r returning to the Collins family. Because you’re terrifying!”
Martin was utterly crushed, feeling as though his whole world had come crashing down around him. “The Collins family couldn’t warm your heart in eighteen years, and I thought I could. I believed that with true sincerity, even metal and stone would be moved. I thought that as long as I was good to you, we’d have a happy life together. But I almost killed my own mother and sister!”
Seeing Martin in such a state of regret and agony, Serena realized that things had taken a terrible turn.
With him like this, the odds were, he had evidence.
“If you won’t speak.” Martin pulled out his cell phone, “I’ll hand over all the evidence to the police. After that, it’s none of my concern whether you live or die anymore.”
As Martin moved to call the police, Serena quickly maneuvered her wheelchair forward, trying to grab his hand, but he shook her off with force.
“Martin.”
When he was determined to make the call, Serena clutched at the hem of his shirt in desperation. “What are you doing?”
“What am I doing??” Martin looked down at her, eyes red with a mix of grief and fury. “You tried to murder my mother and sister, and you killed an innocent driver. What do you think I should do? Pretend like nothing happened, keep pampering you, treating you like royalty? Serena, this is murder—taking a life has its price! You’re terrifying, completely deranged! You’re beyond redemption!”
It was only now that he could truly empathize with how disappointed and hurt the Collins family had been before.
Had they seen him as a fool for trying to rescue Serena from their clutches?
The Collins had showered her with love, spoiled her, tried to warm her heart, but it hadn’t made a dent, and Martin had been oblivious to the problem.
Only now did Martin understand that the person he loved wasn’t this monstrous, heartless girl before him, but the simple, pure Serena of the past.
But that Serena was gone, forever locked in the past, a memory that should remain untouched, for uncovering it would reveal a monstrous truth.
Watching Martin resolute to call the police, Serena could only move her wheelchair forward again, pleading as she clutched at his shirt. “Martin, listen to me. I was so angry at that time. I made a mistake. When I saw them being rushed to the ER, my heart was in agony, I was full of remorse. I was too scared to tell you.”
Martin looked at Serena’s two-faced, hypocritical demeanor, remembering how she had feigned concern when he received the call about his mother and sister’s accident right after their engagement party.
All orchestrated by her!
“So are you admitting it?” Martin asked with a sneer.
Serena knew that excuses were futile. He was ready to call off the engagement and was willing to call the police in front of everyone, clearly showing he was utterly disillusioned and hurt.
“Martin, can we talk in private?” Serena tried to soften her tone and her stance.
But as soon as she made the request, Martin lau ed spore!
“Aap your stiwolte about saving face at this point?”
Not even an apology.
Always trying to justify herself, and when that failed, hapiag to played!
rppehiiatd bidsed doors?
That was her usual game.
“You have one minute,” Martin said icily, as if he didn’t want to waste another second on her.
Serena had no choice but to make the most of that minute, even as he kept shaking off her ha d Sheckept!
r Shing as, FEO WSK with shame, pefsisting, “! admit it, it was all my doing. I had someone push your mother down the stairs, and I
arranged for your sister’s car accident.”
“How did you get the people to help you? And where did you get the money?”
When Martin posed the question, Serena couldn’t even muster the courage to meet his gaze. “It was all left to me by my father before he passed. Both the people and the money.”
Even though Martin had suspected her all along, hearing the words fall from her lips and seeing the guilt etched across her face tore through him like a jagged blade.
Tears spilled from his eyes once again, his composure crumbling. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to hold back the volcanic surge of emotion, but it was no use. With frustration lacing his tone, he pressed, “Is it really you?”
Serena was taken aback by his reaction. What did he mean? Did he have no actual proof and had all this been a ploy to trap her into a confession?
Had she been played?
The sound of a recording echoed in the room as Fitch played back her own words from his phone.
“You two?” Serena’s eyes darted between Martin and Fitch, reeling from the realization that they had teamed up to trick her into spilling her secrets.
But now she had to swallow her pride; she couldn’t lash out.
After all, Martin was her rock, her lifeline. If she lost him, she’d be left with nothing.
“Martin.” Serena reached out to touch his hand.
“Don’t you dare,” Martin’s heart shattered into a million pieces, his voice now ragged with grief and betrayal, “How could you be so cruel”
He was filled with loathing, loathing his past arrogance and ignorance, and that he hadn’t listened to his family, causing them undue suffering.
“You don’t deserve.” As Martin’s gaze landed on the jewelry he had given her, the clothes he had bought for her, the custom wheelchair he had arranged for her, regret gnawed at him.
She didn’t deserve his affection.
“Get out.” Martin closed his eyes, struggling to tame the storm of emotions. After a moment, he managed to speak, “From now on, stay out of my sight, get as far away as possible. I never want to see you again!”
Serena felt a chill pierce her heart.
She couldn’t believe that the man before her, who had once vowed to always be by her side no matter what, could fall out of love with her.
Just then, a young nurse stepped off the elevator onto the si enth flan oie ng-apaurgandhctice of critical ition to present to Martin.
“Mr. Cooper, Ms. Cooper’s condition is deteriorating rapidly. The doct have issued a itipal@ntice, Giid ah afppicohe Vay not have more than a couple of hours. Please sign here and brace yourself for the worst.”
Clutching the critical notice from the nurse, Martin seemed to find a new strength, no longer appearing as helpless and frightened as before.
He knew Mirabella was on the same floor, and after saving his mother, she would surely find a way to save his sister.
So he replied with a steady voice, “I’ll sign it later.”
The nurse looked puzzled. Why did Mr. Cooper seem so ca{m, almost I
seine entyat Wa@n&n a stark jot to the concern he had shown for Florence.
Could it be that he wasn’t close with his sister?
Martin was unnervingly calm.
Fitch, who used to pace restlessly at the slightest downturn in Diana’s health, was now a portrait of stillness. Beside him, the young nurse rubbed her eyes in disbelief. They both remained eerily composed.
Serena peered at the nurse holding the notice of critical condition. She remembered the doctor’s words, Martin’s mother wouldn’t last more than two hours.
Yet, even with the gravity of the situation hanging over her, Serena couldn’t bring herself to hand over her phone. A shadow crossed her eyes, and it seemed clear she wouldn’t offer her help.
Martin, his heart sinking, saw it all. Disappointed was an understatement – to think that at a time like this, Serena could be so cold.
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.