Filed To Story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family
She shouldn’t miss it!
“Martha, you stay.’ Clark’s smile was unreadable, “Serena, you go.”
“Oh, okay.” Serena glanced at Martha, a bit confused as she headed to the kitchen.
“Martha.”
Once Serena left, Clark’s gaze returned to Martha, “You seem to have a lot of complaints about Bella.””Clark, you’re mistaken. I’m just upset seeing Serena being neglected in this house, especially since no matter how hard she tries to please Ms. Bella, it’s useless. Ms. Bella is always giving her the cold shoulder, so I just feel it’s unfair for Serena.”
Mirabella was standing upstairs speechlessly.
“Martha, you’ve been in this house for too long. Have you forgotten that Serena’s place originally belonged to Bella?”
With one sentence, Clark completely silenced Martha.
“Bella has suffered for eighteen years outside and she finally returned to this house. You say everyone revolves around her. That was because they wanted to make it up to her, be good to her, and care for her. Isn’t this normal?”
Martha lowered her head in embarrassment, whispering, “Yes.”
“Serena has been living the life that Bella should have had for the past eighteen years. Bella didn’t ask her to give it back, and even agreed to let her stay. That shows Bella is a generous person who doesn’t hold grudges.”
Clark paused, looking at Martha. “Would you keep a potential threat around if you were in her shoes?”
he inquired.
Martha was taken aback, suddenly at a loss for words.
Indeed, if it were her, she wouldn’t tolerate such a threat hanging around, competing for attention, adding stress.
Clark continued, “Serena wears the latest fashion and brandishes the newest accessories. This indicates that, at the very least, this family doesn’t skimp on providing for her materially.”
“I see your point, Clark.”
“As for emotional aspects, I often hear Mom and Dad mentioning Serena. One moment Serena has won an award, the next she’s been accepted to Summerfield College, then they’re planning to take Serena out for dinner, and then visit her at school. Doesn’t seem like she’s being neglected.”
Martha had lowered her head, afraid to utter a word.
“When their biological child returns, they can’t just ignore her and continue to shower Serena with love alone. That wouldn’t be fair.
Let’s say the love that Mom and Dad can give equals a hundred percent. Even if they gave Bella sixty percent, leaving Serena with forty percent, you’d have to understand. For the first eighteen years, Bella got nothing. Serena had their full affection all to herself. As someone close to Serena, you should guide her, teach her, and even yourself, to be grateful. Don’t bear such a grudge against Bella. Your influence on Serena is more powerful than you think.”Martha was filled with shame. “You’re right, Clark.”
“I’m not lecturing you,’ Clark calmly corrected her. “I’m just stating the facts. I can tell you’re not fond of Bella. It seems she doesn’t exactly have an easy life here, at least partly because of you.”
“Clark.” Martha was flustered.
“Bella could’ve used her newfound status to get rid of you, but she didn’t. Be grateful for that. You’re only able to gossip about her because she gave you the chance. Otherwise, you’d be long gone.”
Martha bowed deeply. “I’m sorry, Clark. I will adjust my attitude and stop spreading rumors.”
“Clark, I brought you some food!”
At this moment, Serena entered with a platter of delectable dishes.
“The chef just made these. I grabbed a little bit of everything. Try it and see if you like it. If you want more, I can fetch it.
After a few bites, Clark said, “Let’s take a walk in the garden.”
He didn’t want to stick around and see Martha’s face any longer.
As Serena tried to take the platter with her, Clark laughed, “No need for more food. Let’s just enjoy the walk.”
Martha watched their retreating figures. She was filled with anxiety.
She was tempted to follow and eavesdrop, but feared being caught by Clark.
“Clark, is there something you want to talk about?” Serena asked, glancing nervously at him as she walked behind him.”Don’t be nervous, just keep up,’ Clark smiled at her. “Am I that intimidating?”
“No, not at all.” Serena quickly matched Clark’s pace, walking side by side with him.
“Do you and Bella have any disputes?”
Serena’s face fell at his question. “Did Martha tell you something?”
“She didn’t say a thing.”
“Then why would you ask that, Clark?”
“I’m just curious.” Clark noted her wariness, his smile intensifying.
“Seems like you two aren’t exactly getting along.”
Serena lowered her gaze, taking a moment before opting for honesty. “At first, Mom and Dad suddenly brought her home without any warning. I wasn’t prepared at all. That day, they had prepared a magical surprise for her. I thought it was for me, and ended up making a fool of myself.”
Her eyes seemed to dim, “Then I found out she was the real daughter of this family, and I was the adopted one. Her arrival divided my parents’ attention, and even Romeo started to like her.
So, if I say I have zero resentment towards her, it would be a lie.”
Serena’s gaze dimmed for a while before she spoke again, “Afterwards, after everything that happened, I suddenly wanted to be friends with her, but she doesn’t seem to want to be friends with me.”
“What do you mean?” Clark seemed a bit puzzled.
“She doesn’t seem to care about these trivial matters.”
In Serena’s memory, Bella was either soaked in her lab doing experiments or busy with her business across the country. She didn’t seem to care about sisterly bonds.
“And what about her?” Clark asked again.
“Her personality is pretty neutral. She treats everyone the same. It’s not like she’s targeting me.”Clark was surprised to hear this. Unlike Martha, Serena didn’t take the opportunity to badmouth Bella, but expressed her thoughts fairly.
“What about other aspects?”
“Other aspects?” Serena pondered for a moment, “She’s quite outstanding. Anyway, you’ll know when you meet her, Clark.”
It seemed that his younger sister was not too bad in Serena’s eyes.
“You’ve grown up and can make your own judgments. I’m very reassured.” Clark patted her shoulder, “You’re eighteen now and living in a dorm, I don’t think you need Martha to take care of you.
Why not let her come to my place and help me out?”
“Clark, you want to move Martha to your place?” Serena quickly grabbed his sleeve, “Can you get another maid? I’ve gotten used to having Martha around me all these years.”
“Habits can be changed.”
“Clark.” This time, Serena realized something, “Did Martha say something to upset you earlier? I’ll apologize for her. Can you please not move her away?”
Unable to resist Serena’s pleas, Clark finally conceded, “If you want her to stay, fine, but you need to make your own judgments. If you have any problems, you should ask me instead of always asking her.”
“I promise!” Serena quickly agreed.
“Also, Mom and Dad feel a deep guilt towards Bella, because they weren’t able to give her anything in the past eighteen years. As her brother, I also feel that I should make up for her, but this doesn’t meanyou’re less important in this family, understand?”
Serena was taken aback, but then nodded.
“You’re still part of this family, it’s just that now, we have one more family member. We should welcome and accept her, not alienate or despise her.”
“I understand, Clark.”
“You’re a good kid. Remember, if we didn’t like you, we would’ve kicked you out a long time ago.” Clark patted her shoulder, fearing that she might be led astray by Martha. It seemed that he would have to keep a closer eye on Martha’s actions from now on.
At least for now, Serena was still a kind and innocent child.
It was just that Martha held a deep prejudice towards Bella.
It would be best if it could be changed, but if not.
After a while, a servant came over and invited, “Clark, Serena, dinner’s ready.”
“Let’s go, it’s time to eat.”
Clark and Serena walked back side by side, laughing and chatting along the way.
From a distance, Martha watched them with a glint of obscure darkness in her eyes.
For some reason, each time she saw Serena getting along well with the Collins family, a thorn seemed to prick her heart.
At the dining table.
Upon their arrival, Louisa immediately scolded, “Where have you been, Clark? Bella’s been waiting for you for ages.”
Clark glanced at the girl seated at the table. The girl’s appearance, aura, and physique all reminded him of a girl named “Alex” whom he had met earlier at the security center.
“Let me introduce you. This is your sister, Mirabella Collins, a student at Westerly College.”
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.