Chapter 180 – Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family

Filed To Story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family

Sure, he’s her brother, but he’s still a guy, and it’s late. Without her permission, he can’t just barge into her room.

“You can go about your business.”

“Yes, sir.” Edith withdrew respectfully.

After a while, Hans didn’t see his sister, so he got up and walked into the living room, asking, “Martha, has Serena hit the sack?

“You need Serena, Hans? At this hour, she’s definitely still up! Hold on a sec, I’ll go fetch her.

Martha was kinda giddy, ‘cause in this house, aside from being favored by the old lady, the next best thing was to be noticed and pampered by Hans!

Among all of them, Hans held the most sway. Anyone he wanted to keep around had to respect his decision.

“Nah, I’ll go find her.” Hans walked upstairs to find Serena without making her run errands.

Martha looked at the clock and couldn’t help but do a little happy dance inside. By all accounts, it was about time for the young master to call it a night, but instead, he was breaking routine for Serena!

“Serena, it’s me; are you asleep?” Hans stood at Serena’s door, giving it a knock.

“Brother?” Serena opened the door as soon as she heard the sound. It’s been ages since her brother came to see her alone.

Tonight, Mirabella was out, and her brother just happened to come see her, It must be because Mirabella usually kept him away!

With that thought, Serena happily stepped aside and said, “Brother, come on in for a chat.”

“Let’s head to the terrace.”

Each floor had a spacious viewing terrace, and Serena’s floor was no exception.

On the terrace surrounded by swaying plants, Serena asked cheerfully, “Brother, what brings you here so late?”

Before Hans could answer, Serena took the opportunity to whine, “You haven’t come to chat with me for so long; I thought our sibling relationship had changed! I’ve always treated you as my brother, but I don’t know if in your heart I’m still your sister.

Saying this, Serena put on a fake aggrieved expression.

“Sure thing.”

Hans‘ confident tone brought a smile to Serena’s face, “I knew my big brother is the best!”

“Bella just returned home, and everyone is understandably worried about her feelings. This might make you think we’re treating you differently than before.”

“But let me tell you,” Hans said heartily, “In our parents‘ eyes and mine, including the other brothers, you’re still a part of this family and that has never changed.” Upon hearing this, Serena felt uneasy, sensing an undercurrent in his words. Did he come to her late at night to warn her about something?

“How have Mom and Dad been treating you these years?” Hans asked.

“Obviously great,” Serena answered without hesitation, “They’ve always told me that I’m their most precious treasure, and they’d give me the world if they could.” “And how about me? How have I treated you?”

“brother, you’ve always bought me anything that suits me. Some new styles that I couldn’t find. You managed to get them for me.”

“And our other brothers, how have they treated you?”

“They’re great too!” Serena was puzzled and decided to take the initiative, “Brother, why are you asking all these out of nowhere?”

“I want to tell you,” Hans said solemnly, “Bella has been lost for 18 years, and it’s been a struggle for her to come back home. Mom, Dad, and I want to make it up to her. It may seem to you that we’re favouring her over you; but what we’re giving her now is what you’ve had all these 18 years.”

So, this was about Mirabella Bennett. That’s why he was having this chat with her so late at night. Serena felt a pang of annoyance.

“Did you ever think,” he continued, “That this is her home, too? She deserves to be here, to enjoy the life she was supposed to have. She’s our parents‘ biological daughter, and they should treat her well. As her brother, I should spoil and take care of her, especially after the hardships she’s experienced for the past 18 years. We should double our efforts to compensate her.”

“Big bro, you’re making it sound like I don’t welcome her home!” Serena was slightly jealous and seemed down, “Don’t get it twisted. I have no ill feelings towards her.”

“Whether you have ill feelings or not, and how much, I can tell,”

Hans looked at her and said meaningfully, “The reason I have this chat with you is to let you know that even if Bella is back, our love for you over these 18 years is not fake. You can still stay here, buy whatever you want, do whatever you want. No one will restrict you or treat you differently.”

Serena was sceptical. Things definitely felt different with her family.

“Bella holds no grudge against you. Sometimes she’s just putting up with your nonsense. You should be happy to have such a sister, Hans paused slightly before, continuing, “You should take my advice, put aside your prejudices, try to accept her, respect her. You’ll find your life is not worse off than before, but you’ll be happier.”

Happier? But whenever she saw her parents doting on Mirabella and her brothers always siding with Mirabella, she couldn’t help feeling incredibly jealous and irritated.

“This family was never yours, to begin with,” Hans said thoughtfully.

These words struck Serena like a bolt from the blue, startling her from her stupor.

“None of it belongs to you. Not the love and care from our parents and brothers, not the comfortable and elegant life, not the respect from the servants.

Serena was shocked into silence.

“You spent 18 years living Bella’s life because of a mistake initially. Bella accepted you because of our parents and brothers. You had the chance to be jealous of her, to hurt her. Have you ever thought about what would’ve happened if she insisted you leave this house from the beginning?”

Serena was stuck for a few seconds, frozen in time.

“Could you accept her for our parents and brother’s sake, just like she accepted you?”

Hans saw her deep in thought, and gave her a light pat on the head, “Think about what I’ve said before you sleep tonight. I hope to see some changes when I come back.”

Hans had a very regular schedule, with only three minutes left before his bedtime. He stood up, not changing his habits for anyone.

Before he left, he specifically said, “If I were you, I would cherish everything in front of me instead of waiting until it’s gone to feel regret.”

Serena looked at him in surprise.

“Goodnight.” Hans walked away, leaving the balcony.

Seeing Hans leave, Martha, hiding in the shadows, quickly appeared, “Serena, are you okay?”

From the moment Hans had come to find Serena, she had quietly followed!

She thought Hans would say some sweet words to Serena or do something to pamper her, but instead, his words seemed like a warning!!

“Hans is warning you if you can’t get along well with Mirabella, you might be ostracized by the family and forced to leave.”

Tears fell from Serena’s eyes, “But my brother is right. This home–was–never mine. The love from my parents and brothers, the comfortable life, the care from the servants, none belonged to me! I’ve been living Mirabella’s life for the past 18 years!”

“Serena, you can’t think like that.” Martha was anxious and quickly looked around to make sure no one was around before saying, “It was the lady who made the mistake picked up the wrong child. How can you blame yourself? You also lost 18 years of being loved by your biological parents. You also have losses!”

Serena spoke somewhat dazedly, “Martha, do you think, if I really treat Mirabella as my own sister, will they still treat me the same? I mean mom and dad and my brothers.”

“Of course not!” Martha said anxiously, “Serena, how can you be so naive! You’re confused by a few words from Hans! If Hans really saw you as his sister, he wouldn’t have warned you like this tonight!”

“But I think what my brother said makes sense.” It sounded hurtful, but it was the truth.

“Do you remember what Hans said last? He was hinting that if you’re not content, you will soon lose everything!”

Martha was getting impatient, “Serena, listen to me, while you still have the ability and connections. While they still have feelings for you, either get rid of Mirabella, or strive for the greatest benefits of the Collins family, strive to become the most influential person in the world, don’t naively try to get along well with Mirabella, it’s the most useless move!”

Serena looked up, wavering again.

“I’ve watched you grow up like you’re my own child. I would never harm you!” Martha was so anxious she was about to cry, “I’m really doing this for your own good, Serena, don’t let Hans deceive you!”

“Martha, do you have your own children?” Serena suddenly asked.

Martha was a bit puzzled, didn’t understand what Serena meant, and after a while, she answered, “I once had a child.”

“Once?” Serena asked in surprise.

“That was a long time ago when I just gave birth. I heard that being a nanny in the city could make a lot of money, so I wanted to try it. Because my husband’s leg was not good, he could only stay in the village care for the elderly and our child at home. I never expected a flood that year, and my husband, child, and the child’s grandparents all passed away.”

Serena was moved, “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have brought up your past.”

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