Filed To Story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family
As Florence watched Serena strut away in her heels, she all but confirmed the card didn’t belong to her.
Could it really belong to her son?
When did her son start dating this girl? And this girl’s so rude and uncultured.
She had to get to the bottom of this.
She wouldn’t let anyone of questionable character step foot into the Cooper family home!
The Cooper family was in the midst of turbulent times, and if this girl really was her son’s girlfriend, Florence would be the first to object!
“Pete, start the car, we’re heading over to Martin’s”
Meanwhile.
After Serena finished her shopping spree, she soon learned that her grandmother’s plane had landed at the apron, and the household staff had all gone to welcome her. Serena, not one to miss out, gotdolled up and hurried over to cozy up to her.
Mirabella had been out running errands that morning and upon her return, she saw Serena clutching her grandmother’s hand, cooing, “Granny, what do you think of this brooch? It symbolizes peace and good fortune. I bought it with the prize money from a competition, just for you. Do you like it?”
“That brand is my favorite, isn’t it? That brooch must have cost a pretty penny. You’ve won another competition, haven’t you?” Belinda was touched and impressed by Serena’s thoughtfulness, not only for her parents and brother but also for remembering her dear old granny.
“It’s from competitions a while back, the prize money added up.”
Mirabella’s lips twitched in skepticism. What competitions could possibly accumulate enough to afford a KCY brooch.
The lies didn’t even seem to require preparation.
Just as she was about to enter the house, she heard Serena say, “May, this is for you!”
May was a favored servant by Sampson’s side and someone Belinda trusted implicitly, sharp and savvy.
But ever since Serena posted on Facebook, flaunting gifts she’d received, including calligraphy from the master artist Labella. She’d mentioned everyone who gave her a gift—parents, brother, etc.—
except for her own sister, Mirabella.
So May didn’t think too highly of her.
Serena had accepted Mirabella’s gift but only seemed interested in showing off its value, not in letting people know the real relationship between her and Mirabella, which felt rather calculating.”Serena, I appreciate the thought,’ May declined gently, “but this bracelet is quite expensive, and I’d be uneasy accepting it. Please take it back.”
“What’s wrong? Don’t like the style?” Serena knew May was close to Mirabella.
Was her refusal a way of taking a stand? Did she only recognize Mirabella as her mistress?
The thought made Serena uncomfortable. Could Mirabella be bribing May on the side?
“It’s not about the style. Madam, you know me best, please speak for me,”
May implored, turning to the matriarch for support.
Belinda beamed warmly, “You know May’s character. If you give her such an expensive gift, she won’t be able to sleep at night, feeling guilty. Put it away.
It’s enough that May knows you thought of her”
Serena watched as May kept her gaze lowered, never even glancing her way, and irritation bubbled within her. It was just a servant, for crying out loud, too stuck-up to appreciate a kind gesture.
Thinking she’s all high and mighty.
Just then, an excited voice broke through the tension.
“Darling, my darling”
Darren heard his wife had finally arrived, and he hobbled as fast as he could, leaning heavily on his cane, wishing he could move faster.
The help trailed behind him with a wheelchair, offering a helpless smile while explaining, “Mr. Darren refuses to sit in the wheelchair. He says it’ll ruin his image.”
Mirabella, standing by the door, had to suppress a giggle. Did he really think hobbling on a cane was any better for his image?
Belinda hurried over to steady him. “What on earth happened to you?”
“Just took a little tumble, it’s nothing” Darren wrapped his arms around his wife. “You’re finally here. It feels like an age since we last saw each other! I must say, my dear, you’re still radiant. Your face is more delicate than the roses in the garden.”
The staff couldn’t help but snicker at Darren’s remarks.
Belinda swatted him playfully. “People are listening, have you no shame?
Look at all these wrinkles, and you are still comparing me to flowers.”She touched her face subconsciously as she spoke.
“You look beautiful! Even more so than when you married me.” Darren kissed her forehead solemnly before saying, “From now on, you’re not going anywhere. It’s my turn to take care of you”
“With you looking like that?” Belinda eyed his cane and teased him. “And what about leaving everything to Sampson?”
“He’s grown now. We’re too old to be chasing after him. Once I’m back on my feet, we won’t stay at Bard’s place anymore. Let’s go back to living our own lives, like the old days!”
As the couple chattered away, clearly eager to share the moments they’d missed, Mirabella’s eyes softened, feeling the warmth of family harmony.
When their heartfelt exchange concluded, Mirabella finally said, “Hello, Grandpa, Grandma.”
“Bella?” Belinda’s eyes lit up upon seeing her granddaughter, and she immediately let go of her husband to embrace Mirabella tightly.
Mirabella smiled. “How have you been feeling lately?”
“I’ve been taking the medicine you gave me on time. I feel like I’m full of energy again, no aches or pains.” Belinda released the hug, beaming at her granddaughter. “Did you just get back? Where were you?”
“Just taking care of some things.”
Knowing the risks involved, Mirabella didn’t disclose details, simply saying, “Seeing you and Grandpa together makes me truly happy for both of you.”“All thanks to you.” Darren lavished Mirabella with praise from head to toe, completely oblivious to another granddaughter standing by.
Serena noted that ever since Mirabella had shown up, her grandparents had showered her with affection and attention, more so than they ever did with Serena herself.
On the other hand, she felt utterly dispensable, despite being their granddaughter by blood.
She remembered how she’d gone to greet her grandmother when she arrived, and not once did her grandma embrace her, even though Serena had spent nearly an hour sweetly holding her hand.
It seemed blood ties trumped all!
And her grandpa hadn’t even acknowledged her since he appeared, as if she was invisible.
The person who got under her skin the most was May!
Just moments ago, she had offered May a KCY bracelet, but May had barely acknowledged the gift, keeping her at arm’s length. Yet, the moment Mirabella walked in, May’s smile blossomed like a sunlit rose.
“Granny, it’s my turn now, I’ve missed Miss Bella so much, I want a hug too!”
Belinda chimed in with a warm smile, “May has been talking about you the whole way!”
“Miss Bella, I really missed you!” May exclaimed, embracing Mirabella joyfully.
“I’ve been following your instructions to the letter, making sure Madam takes her medicine, taking her out to bask in the sunshine, breathing in the fresh air”
“May treats your words like gospel,” Belinda laughed. “Miss Bella wouldn’t like this; or ‘Miss Bella wouldn’t approve of that’ — it’s become her mantra.
She’s always going on about what you would think”
Mirabella couldn’t help but laugh.
“Miss Bella, I’ve been using the skincare products you gave me every day.
Don’t you think my skin looks better than before?”
On hearing this, Serena could see right through Mirabella’s schemes. She was like a sly fox, buttering up the help behind their backs!How utterly devious!
“Your skin was never bad, May. You were just using the wrong products before. It’s looking much better now,’ Mirabella assessed, noting May’s complexion that was now porcelain-smooth, like a doll’s.
May was over the moon. Every day she looked in the mirror, she noticed her skin growing fairer and silkier.
“Miss Bella, the cream you made is like magic!”
“Bella, when can you send Granny a couple of those bottles? Preferably the wrinkle-reducing kind”
Before Betinda could finish, Darren chimed in, “And send a couple for me too.
I want to look as young as I did back in the day, make your Granny fall in love all over again!”
Mirabella replied with a smile, “I’ll see to it right away.”
Serena, watching them all get along so famously, suddenly stepped forward, pushing May aside with a honeyed smile. “Bella, I want some of that skincare too.”
In front of her grandparents, there was no way Mirabella would dare to refuse her!
But to her surprise, Mirabella simply glanced at her coolly and said, “Finish what you have first, then we’ll talk.”
May, with perfect timing, added, “Serena’s got such an enviable stash of luxury skincare products.”
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.