Filed To Story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family
She averted her gaze, confused. Why did Martin always seem to wear his heart on his sleeve, his eyes betraying a wounded forbearance that made her feel unsettled?
“I’m saying that I’m not the Collins heiress. It has nothing to do with how you acted today!”
“So what?” Martin continued treating her wounds, more concerned about the small cut on her foot than her lineage.Serena was surprised. Seeing Martin so focused on her insignificant injury, she couldn’t help but question, “Don’t you understand? I’m not a true Collins. I was switched at birth! My real background is probably very ordinary. I’m not good enough for you, Martin!”
“It’s not for you or anyone else to decide who is worthy’ Martin said softly, all the while carefully applying medicine to her wounds. “If I say you are worthy, then you are. I like you, Serena, not your status.”
“But your family will never agree.”
Martin had not expected her to think so far ahead. He looked up, his voice gentle, “I’ll take care of my family.”
Serena was shocked. Even knowing her true birthright, Martin was surprisingly unfazed.
She had thought that once he learned the truth, he would choose a well-matched heiress and break up with her.
Just then, Martin’s phone rang.
He finished treating the last bruise and picked up the call.
“Martin, you’re such a jerk. Skipping Grandpa’s birthday for some drama queen!”
Diana’s angry voice blasted through the phone.
“I’ll apologize to him when I get back,” Martin replied calmly.
“What time is it now? By the time you get back, Grandpa will be asleep! Don’t forget how many eyes in the Cooper family are watching you! Grandpa doesn’t just have you for a grandkid! You not showing up tonight just gives those other relatives more to talk about. Mom’s livid!”Diana on the other end was fuming, disappointed and frustrated.
“Martin, don’t think that just because your career is looking up, you can stand up to them! You know they’re tough cookies. You were Grandpa and Dad’s pride and joy, and tonight you let them both down!”
“I’ll explain it to them tomorrow.”
“Explain what? That you went all out for a drama queen with a private venue, a sea of flowers, and then got chewed out in public?”
“Were you there?” Martin was surprised.
“If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t believe such behavior came from a Collins!”
Such poor manners!
Martin frowned slightly, not wanting Serena to overhear this, “We’ll talk when I get back.”
Diana couldn’t believe her brother hung up on her!
It must be that drama queen’s influence!
She couldn’t keep this to herself any longer. If she couldn’t handle her brother, it was time for their parents to step in.
They couldn’t let Martin make another mistake!
The Cooper family was going through a rough patch, and Diana’s younger brother, the one most capable of turning the tide, simply couldn’t afford to drop the ball now!
Martin pocketed his phone and lifted his gaze, a gentle concern in his eyes, “Are you hurt anywhere else? Did you injure your hands?”
In that moment, Serena felt a rush of emotion. For a split second, she thought the boy before her wasn’t half bad. He seemed genuinely caring.
“No, I’m fine.” Serena averted her gaze, avoiding his eyes, “If you’ve got stuff to do, you can go. Don’t worry about me.”
“I’ll stay a bit longer.” Martin sat beside her, looking at her tenderly, “You haven’t told me how you got hurt.
“It was snowy, the pavement was slippery, and I just fell.”
She didn’t dare mention that it was her clumsiness that had caused her grandpa to fall.
“Where did you fall?” Martin asked with concern.
“In the garden.’
“Was it yesterday?”
“Today”
Then it clicked for Martin, “So you were feeling down and wanted to get out? Is that why you asked me to hang out?”No wonder she had reached out.
It was because she was in pain, felt wronged, and wanted someone to be there with her.
Martin rebuked himself, “I didn’t know you were hurt, and I had you walking so much today — through the lavender fields, by the Emerald Tower, and even when we left Luminescent Brook to walk to the parking lot. If I had known, I would’ve carried you.”
“You dare?” Serena warned with a playful smile.
For some unknown reason, knowing that Martin didn’t despise her brought a sweet sensation to her heart.
“Take a good rest at home tomorrow.” Martin didn’t want her walking too much, especially since her knee was scraped.
But at the mention of staying home, Serena suddenly became petulant, “If you don’t want to see me, just say it.
Why beat around the bush?”
She tried to leave the swing but her foot ached too much, and she nearly stumbled.
Martin quickly steadied her, “You’ve got it all wrong, I just don’t want you to overexert yourself.”
“So you do mind, don’t you?” Serena pushed him away, angry.
Martin was confused.
“If you don’t want to be together, just say it. Why make excuses?”Martin finally grasped her point, “I’ve told you, your background doesn’t matter to me. What’s important is having you by my side! If you don’t believe me, tomorrow I’ll plan a date where we don’t have to walk, okay?”
Serena couldn’t help but smirk, “Who wants to date you? Besides, is there even such a thing as a date without walking?”
When Serena smiled, Martin’s tension eased, and he chuckled along, “There is. I’ll take care of tomorrow’s plans, and I promise it won’t be disappointing like today”
Serena, moved by his sincerity, lightened up and smiled, “I’m done talking to you. I need to go to sleep.”
“I’ll take you.” Without hesitation, Martin swept her into a romantic bridal carry.
As Serena observed his profile, she realized he might not have Romeo’s looks, but he wasn’t too shabby either.
Smooth skin, a jawline with a chiseled contour, eyes clear and bright.
Had she been too hard on him before, constantly comparing him to Romeo?
In truth, he was already far more exceptional than his peers.
But before she could entertain this thought for more than half a minute, Serena caught sight of Romeo pinning Mirabella against a tree in a passionate embrace.
That domineering yet fiery demeanor was the ideal partner she had envisioned.
Romeo was the very definition of a dashing enigma, carrying an air of aristocratic grace and a touch of aloofness that seemed etched into his very being.
When his gaze fell upon strangers, it held an untamed wildness paired with a lofty indifference. Yet, when he looked upon the one he cherished, his eyes softened into a tender caress.
This stark contrast had Serena utterly captivated. She relished Romeo’s icy dominance, his powerful aura that seemed to tower above the rest, his statuesque figure, and his impeccably handsome features.
Everything about Romeo was an object of her affection.
In comparison, Martin seemed so utterly ordinary.
In that moment, Serena found herself a touch envious of Mirabella, who was the recipient of Romeo’s fervent kisses, his intense affection.
Before Romeo’s lips could tire, Mirabella’s phone buzzed to life, his eyes lingering with a hint of desire yet to be sated.
It was her grandmother calling.
“Bella, your uncle is driving me up the wall. I can’t talk sense into him!”
Belinda’s voice came through the phone, laden with complaint, “You deal with him!”
Mirabella tried to suppress a chuckle, but before she could offer a few soothing words, she heard Sampson’s resigned voice, “Bella.””Uncle Sampson,” Mirabella replied with a light laugh, “Are you stirring up trouble with Grandma again?”
“She wants to visit your grandpa, but I’m swamped with work and can’t spare the time.”
Sampson’s explanation was cut short by Belinda’s irritated interjection, “When are you ever not busy?
May can take me. I can’t wait for you forever.”
The mention of her grandmother’s impatience brought a smile to Mirabella’s face.
“I’d like to see Dad too. Let me wrap up some things here, and we’ll go together.”
“I don’t need you to come with me! Bella said I’m well enough to travel on my own, didn’t you, dear?”
Belinda pulled her granddaughter into the conversation, asserting, “She even said a long-haul flight wouldn’t be an issue for me.”
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.