Chapter 320 – Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family

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

“I remember every family trip, whether abroad or at home, where you, Dad, Mom, and our other brothers always took good care of me. Whenever I was thirsty, you all rushed to bring me water; when I was tired, you all wanted to carry me. Especially during meals, any dish I liked, you would pass to me.”

But when did all of this start to change?

Was it from the moment Mirabella returned to this family and everyone started passing dishes to her?

Once people lost something, it seemed impossible to get it back.

“Chasel, I really miss the old days. I miss when our whole family laughed and played together, those worry–free times.”

When Serena got to this point, tears slid down her cheeks, and a tragic smile appeared on her face.

“Chasel, do you remember that one time we went traveling and your favorite camera fell near a cliff? I tried to retrieve it for you, but I slipped. You grabbed my hand in the nick of time. You were just a kid back then, but you had such strength. You said you’d never let me go, even if it meant sacrificing yourself. Then there was the time we felt the tremors from a nearby earthquake. The house shook, and I thought it was the real deal. I was crying my eyes out. You held me and ran to the garden, telling me that no matter what happened, as long as you were there, you’d protect me. And then there was the time I was playing chase with my friend at home, and we accidentally knocked over the giant LEGO robot you’d spent so much effort building. I was scared stiff, but you comforted me, saying nothing was more important than my happiness. You said I always had the right to mess up with you. No matter what I did wrong, you’d always forgive me in the end.”

As Serena got to this point, she started crying again. She looked up at Chasel with puppy–dog eyes.

“Do your words still hold, Chasel?”

Chasel’s heart seemed to have been ripped out by something, and his eyes became complicated.

“I haven’t committed any serious crimes or done anything outrageous,” Serena continued. “I just said some things in front of my friends. I can’t bear to leave mom and dad, you and my other brothers, and all the good times we had. I still want to be your little sister, their daughter.”

Reaching out, Serena tugged at Chasel’s sleeve. “I just can’t adjust to someone suddenly appearing and taking everything away from me. I know I shouldn’t have badmouthed Mirabella in front of my friends or falsely accused Myrna. I was just jealous of how kind Myrna was to Mirabella. I was wrong.” Tears streamed down Serena’s face non–stop. “I was wrong, Chasel; please forgive me. Give me one more chance. I promise I won’t make the same mistake again.”

Like a little girl, she tugged at Chasel’s sleeve, her tears making her look pitiful.

“Please, Chasel.” Serena sobbed uncontrollably, “Please give me one more chance.”

Chasel closed his eyes tightly. To say he wasn’t moved would be a lie. From childhood to adulthood, he’d always spoiled Serena.

He’d always indulged her and acquiesced to her every demand.

But if he forgave her this time, it would be unfair to Mirabella.

Perhaps sensing his thoughts, Serena turned to Myrna, crying as she clung to her clothes. “Myrna, I’m sorry. I falsely accused you earlier. You didn’t push me but I framed you. Please punish me. I’ll do anything as long as you forgive me.”

Myrna, who’d never before experienced being begged for forgiveness by a crying girl, replied, “Don’t grab me, you’ve got the wrong person.”

Serena then turned to Mirabella. “Sis, give me another chance. I know I was wrong. From now on, I will never badmouth you in front of our classmates. And I’ll explain to each of them that I smeared your name, and you actually didn’t do anything wrong.”

Before Mirabella could even respond, Serena chimed in, “If you’re bothered by me being the adopted daughter, I can clear that up in front of our classmates. Make it crystal clear that you’re the real Collins family princess and I’m just a charity case. I won’t let my vanity hurt you anymore.”

Mirabella stayed silent.

“Sis, can you give me one last chance? Just one more, okay?” Serena pleaded, tugging at Mirabella’s sleeve. “Can we be good sisters again and forget all the past unpleasantness?”

Mirabella noticed that this time Serena’s eyes weren’t filled with the usual scheming and cunning. Instead, they were filled with sincerity and pleading. She was probably scared of losing everything she had, hence her desperation.

“Sis, I’m begging you!” Serena tried to kneel, but Mirabella stopped her with a foot, saying coldly, “Some issues can’t be settled by getting on your knees.”

“What do you want me to do then?” Serena asked earnestly. “Bring you breakfast every day? Lunch? Hang out with you after school, save you a seat in the cafeteria? Help you pick up packages? Give you massages?”

No need to go overboard.

“Sis, you name it. Anything you want me to do, I promise I’ll do it!” Serena seemed to have made a big decision.

“We’ll see,” Mirabella replied noncommittally, and she left early with Myrna.

Serena was left alone, unsure of what Mirabella’s vague response meant. Was she forgiven? Not forgiven? Or intended to watch her actions?

Serena turned to Chasel for help as Mirabella left. “Chasel.”

But Chasel was just as indifferent: “You should go back.”

He didn’t explicitly offer her a chance either.

“Chasel, don’t go. Talk to Mirabella for me. I really realize my mistake.” Serena followed Chasel like a pitiful sidekick.

When they got to a nearby restaurant, Chasel, Myrna, and Mirabella went in first. Serena followed them in after settling the cab fare.

The waiter looked curiously at the somewhat disheveled young lady and politely asked, “Excuse me, are you here alone or with the three who just walked in?”

“With them.” Serena followed them upstairs. When they went into a private room, she didn’t dare to enter, waiting outside instead.

Inside the room, Chasel glanced at Mirabella and gently asked, “How do you plan to handle this?”

“Chasel, how do you think I should handle this?” Mirabella’s gaze was pressuring.

Myrna couldn’t help but sigh. Mirabella was indeed the real daughter of the Collins family. Her aura was just as powerful, if not more so.

“I’ll handle it according to your wishes.” Chasel poured her a glass of lemon water, then poured one for Myrna too. He seemed to have gotten used to her powerful presence.

1 suggest we keep an eye on her and see how she behaves next,” Myrna said, sipping on her lemonade. “If she doesn’t show any signs of remorse in the coming days, or if she’s up to no good behind our backs, we’ll let your parents know and they can kick her out. But if she truly realizes her mistake, Bella, should we give her another shot?”

“So, you mean we should make more friends than enemies?” Mirabella glanced at them, seemingly grasping their point.

Myrna: “I’m just throwing it out there. After all, your parents have quite a soft spot for her. Your brothers have also put a lot of effort into dealing with her. If we suddenly kick her out, your parents might find it hard to adjust. They’ve been together for eighteen years. But it’s just a suggestion, the ball’s in your court.”

Chasel “Bella, you don’t have to worry about anyone else’s feelings. I’ve got your back, no matter what you want to do, even if you want to kick her out of the Collins family.”

Myrna: True that, I’m with you, too. If you want her gone, she’s got to go.”

Mirabella tapped her finger against her cup, falling silent for a moment. “Alright, we’ll see how she behaves next.”

Having Serena in the house didn’t really bother her. Over the past couple of months, Serena had been a handful, but she never got anything good out of Mirabella.

If it came down to dealing with Serena, Mirabella could do it in a snap. She was mainly concerned about the feelings of her family members.

They seemed to have quite a soft spot for Serena.

“One more thing,” Chasel suddenly piped up.

Mirabella and Myrna both turned their attention to him.

I’m sorry for what Serena said earlier,” Chasel apologized. “About the travel destinations. Whenever you have time, wherever you want to go, we’re all in. We can make new memories, just us, as a family.”

Mirabella’s gaze softened.

When Serena mentioned their childhood and everything Chasel had done for her, Mirabella felt a pang of envy. She never experienced that kind of familial warmth growing up. Demetrius and Olga never showed her an ounce of love.

Even though Grannie Grace adored her, it was not the same as being pampered by her brothers.

She had never been spoiled by her brothers growing up.

Chasel seemed to understand what she was thinking, but before he could say anything comforting, Myrna beat him to it. She draped her arm around Mirabella’s shoulders, patting her consolingly. “Don’t worry. From now on, I’ll spoil you rotten. Whatever you want to do, whatever you want, I’ll make it happen.”

Mirabella cracked a smile and said, “I’m content with what I have now.”

She might not have any deep memories from the past, but the genuine love and care from her family were palpable.

Now she had Myrna as well. That was more than enough:

Chasel: “Bella, remember, you always have more say in this house than Serena. If you need anything, everyone would choose you over her, no questions asked. Of course, the choice might be painful, but that’s just how it is. We can handle that pain. You’re a part of this family, no one has the right to threaten your place here, not even Serena. You’re more deserving of our love and care than she is. Remember, we’re family. Next time you see me, don’t be a stranger. If you need anything, I’m here for you.”

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