Filed To Story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family
She was just curious. Over the past eighteen years, she never once heard Martha mention her family back home, and Martha never seemed to plan on going back for the holidays.
“Our village was full of kin,” Martha shared, “and we suffered heavy losses because of the flood that year.”
Serena nodded, “If I ever make it big, I won’t forget you.”
“Thanks, Serena!” Martha showered her with words of gratitude.
Mirabella worked until half past eleven in the evening. After sorting out the medication, she quickly headed home.
As soon as she entered, she could feel the hostile gaze from upstairs, as if someone wanted to tear her apart.
She looked up and saw a silhouette hiding behind the window, spying on her.
The window belonged to Serena’s room.
Perhaps Serena didn’t realize that the light was casting a long shadow of hers on the curtain.
Mirabella shrugged it off and was about to enter the living room when she heard her parents‘ conversation.
“Where’s Bella? Is she in danger? Should we call and check on her?” Kenneth Collins’s voice echoed through the room. “It’s late, and I can’t help but worry about her being out alone.”
“It’s not midnight yet. Don’t rush her and put pressure on her,” Louisa yawned sleepily. “Let’s wait a little longer. Bella has never been later than midnight, no matter how late she works.”
“Really?” Kenneth yawned, “Okay, I’ll wait a bit more.”
Hearing this, Mirabella felt a warmth in her heart. She changed into her slippers and walked in, “Mom, Dad, I’m home.”
Kenneth and Louisa immediately perked up and went to greet her.
“Bella, you’re finally back. Where have you been?” Kenneth was about to ask more when he was stopped by Louisa.
“Are you interrogating her? Why do you need to know everything? She’s grown up. She can make her own decisions.”
“Right right. I’m just worrying too much,” Kenneth admitted.
Mirabella laughed, “I went to see the doctor earlier. She’s leaving the country tonight to treat patients elsewhere. She gave me these medicines before she left and assured me they would work.”
Louisa nodded in understanding, “Of course, she’s a renowned doctor. Many people would ask for her help. It’s not possible for her to drop everything and come to see your grandparents.”
“Exactly. Bella knows some medical stuff too. She explained the situation to the doctor, and the doctor prescribed it accordingly. I trust it will work out,” Kenneth didn’t want to put more pressure on Bella.
“She gave me these medications for the first three days. There are six bottles, one for the morning and one for the evening. Just mix it with warm water,” Mirabella/ handed over a small bag. “She will mail the rest of the medicines to me. Don’t worry about running out.”
“Good job, Bella,” Louisa quickly said. “I’ve prepared some late–night snacks for you. Go eat something first. Oh, did you have enough money for the fee? Do we need to add more?”
“No need. She didn’t charge much,” Mirabella smiled. “I’m going to shower first, and then I’ll come down to eat. You guys rest first.”
“Sure, just remember to eat!”
“Alright.” Mirabella went back to her room, and as soon as she turned on her phone, she found over a dozen unread messages.
She’d been busy in the lab and had her phone on silent, and she was driving herself home, so she hadn’t had time to check her messages.
A lot of them were from her brother.
[Mirabella, I’m leaving the country tomorrow morning. If anything happens at home, or if you’re in any trouble, you can tell me directly, and I’ll help you out.]
[Our parents have managed the company for many years, and even though they’re cunning in business, they don’t bring that shrewdness home. They never doubt their own family. It’s not because they’re oblivious or biased.]
Mirabella understood his meaning Her brother saw through Serena’s sneaky tactics. He knew what was up.
He was right Who would see their own children as enemies, constantly questioning if they had ulterior motives?
Especially when that child had always been so well–behaved, excelling in various skills, and showing deep respect and love for them without malice. So, they genuinely loved and liked her.
[Dad’s a man, so he tends to be careless. Mom’s been spoiled by Dad for decades, so she’s a bit naive.]
[Don’t hide anything from me. You can tell me everything. I’ll always be your rock.]
[Goodnight, my little sister. Rest well.]
Mirabella lightly tapped the screen with her finger and quickly replied, “Bro, don’t worry. I’ll handle everything. Goodnight.”
Then, she exited the chat and opened the messages from Romeo.
[Did you see Grandma and Grandpa today? Are they feeling better?]
[Have you eaten yet?]
He also sent some pictures of his meal.
[Without you by my side, I can’t taste anything.]
Mirabella could almost imagine his handsome yet slightly gloomy face through the screen, and she couldn’t help but smile.
[Still busy?]
[I miss you.]
[I wonder what my fiancée is doing right now.]
Mirabella knew that if he wasn’t worried about disturbing her, this man would probably send her even more messages.
She lightly swiped the screen with her finger and quickly replied, “Just got home.”
Romeo immediately called her, “Finally, I’ve been waiting for you.”
“Still haven’t gone to bed?”
“It’s been 16 hours since I last saw you. I can’t sleep.”
“So, can we go to sleep after this call?”
“Hearing your voice, I miss you even more. I still can’t sleep.”
Today, without her by his side, he would think of her no matter his actions.
On his way home, he would wonder who picked her up, where she went, who she met.
When eating, he would think about whether she liked the food, whether she was full, or happy.
When he had free time, he would wonder what she was doing, why she hadn’t replied.
Every minute, every second, her image would appear in his mind.
No matter what he was doing, he could always relate it to her.
Maybe this was what love felt like.
“Did you see Grandma and Grandpa today?”
“Yeah, I saw them.”
“Are they feeling better?”
“It might take over twenty days for them to regain consciousness.”
“I’ve heard their condition is pretty sticky,” Romeo paused before adding, “but I trust you’ll figure out a way, no matter the problem, as long as you’re on it.” Mirabella gave a small smile, “You have faith in me?”
“Yes,” Romeo affirmed, “to you, the world splits into two kinds, the living and the dead. As long as they’re still breathing, you’ll find a way to save them.” Mirabella thought of her ongoing project, heavily funded but not progressing as well as she wished. She sighed, “But there are so many diseases in the world I can’t cure.”
“That’s why you decided to go private with your research. You want to help more people, give those who are sentenced by their illnesses a chance to live. You’re doing your best.”
“Do you think I’m chasing rainbows?”
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.