Filed To Story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family
“Let’s have breakfast first; then we’ll deal with this,” Kenneth said, offering Louisa a bite of her sandwich, encouraging her to eat something.
The disappointment was real, but they had to focus on Bella’s situation.
“In a way, we’re also to blame. If we had announced Bella’s identity and her engagement to Romeo sooner, perhaps Serena wouldn’t have been so scheming. At least she wouldn’t have lied about the engagement.”
Kenneth’s heart sank as he pondered their situation, “At first, we were thinking about the old folks’
health and, to be honest, we wanted a bit more time with Bella. We didn’t want a swarm of nosy relatives barging in and disrupting her life.”
“But Clark did say that announcing it at the end of the year would be best. He mentioned Bella still had some loose ends to tie up out there; the specifics of which are beyond me.”
But deep down, Louisa didn’t want the revelation of their daughter’s identity to become a burden on Bella, which was why she took Clark’s advice to heart and decided to schedule the announcement for the end of this year.
“Only about ten more days left now. Then we’ll invite the entire McMillian family to witness the moment,” Kenneth planned with her.
Serena was in the bathroom, wrestling with diarrhea. To gain Mirabella’s understanding, she had downed half a bottle of hot sauce, leaving her gut and rear end ablaze with fiery pain.
When she finally got out of the bathroom, she saw the servants packing up her clothes and bedding.
She couldn’t help but ask, “What’s all this about?”
“Mrs. Collins has ordered that, as punishment for your misdeeds, you are to reflect on your actions in the guesthouse next door.”
“What did you say?” Serena suspected she had misheard. Yet, there they were, one servant folding her bedding, another packing her clothes, and a third collecting her toothbrush and other personal items.
“What did I do wrong? Are you sure this came from mom? She told you this herself?” Serena grilled the servant.
“Yes, Mrs. Collins said it herself.”Serena was stunned. It had to be Mirabella! Mirabella must have slandered her while she was away!
With that thought, she dashed downstairs and accosted the butler, “Where are mom and dad?”
“Mr. and Mrs. Collins had to step out for a bit. If you hurry, you might catch them at the front gate,” Erik heard of her exile to the guesthouse. He had tried to intercede on her behalf, but they was unyielding.
It was clear that this time their decision was final.
Serena bolted out the door, and when she saw her parents’ car gliding past the fountain, she lunged towards it.
“Dad, mom.” Serena banged on the window, tears welling up in her eyes, “I need to talk to you, wait.”
Injured yet persistently chasing after the car, she kept knocking, “Dad, mom, just give me a few minutes.”
“Stop the car,” Louisa ordered coldly.
The driver immediately hit the brakes. Moments before, he had been caught in a dilemma, not daring to stop but also not wanting to speed up, inching forward at a mere 10 miles per hour. He feared if Serena accidentally hit the car and got hurt, he would be in deep trouble.
Thankfully, Mrs. Collins called for a halt.
The window rolled down, revealing Louisa’s indifferent profile.
“Mom, are you really sending me to live in the guesthouse? Did my sis say something to you? You won’t even give me a chance to explain before sending me away?” Serena’s tears fell, her voice laden with hurt and sorrow.
After all, they were living in the main house; the guesthouse next door was meant for visitors.
Moving next door was like a punishment for her, and she understood that all too well.
Once the doted-upon princess of the household, now she had fallen to the status of a mere “guest”.
The drastic change wasn’t just about her own standing; it symbolized a demotion in her parents’ hearts, from daughter to outsider in a heartbeat.
Louisa scoffed, “You still don’t get it, do you? Still thinking Bella’s been smearing your name behind your back? Let me tell you, she hasn’t said a word. We just put two and two together. For the past six months, you’ve been playing us for fools, honey-tongued to our faces while stabbing us in the back.
We’re utterly disappointed in you.”
“Mom???” Serena couldn’t believe they knew. If Mirabella hadn’t spilled the beans, then how did they figure it out? Had they been suspicious of her all along, their trust eroding over time?
“After Bella returned to our home, your dad and I sat you down a few times, hoping you’d understand.
We felt guilty about Bella, wanting to make it up to her. But we never shortchanged you. Your life remained unchanged. All these years, emotionally and financially, you’ve gained so much from being part of the Collins family, and we’ve never treated you unfairly.”
Louisa’s icy gaze fell on her, “But what did you do? You abused our trust, misled us, bullied Bella. You need to go next door and reflect on your actions.”
“Mom, let me explain,” Serena tried, but Louisa clearly wasn’t interested in listening.
“I had hoped you two could be good siblings, or at least live under the same roof with mutual respect.
You didn’t have parents or people to rely on, and we were willing to take you in, treat you as our own flesh and blood. We had discussed, and we planned for your future, your wedding gift – it would be only more. But you’re still not satisfied! What has Bella done wrong? She’s simply returned to the home sheshould have never left. She’s eighteen years late, and during those years, you’ve been living lavish in her stead, yet you can’t bear to share. Your dad and I have reflected; perhaps it was Martha who led you astray. Talking more now is pointless. Go next door and think things through. And if we learn that you haven’t changed, that you dare disrespect Bella again, then Collins will no longer be your surname.”
“Mom???” Serena was in disbelief at what she was hearing.
“Drive.” Louisa rolled up the window.
“Mom? Mom.” Serena, struck by the gravity of the moment, instinctively chased after the car, “Mom, don’t go. Let me explain. Don’t send me to the next house. I’ll apologize to my sister; please, just give me another chance, Mom.”
Already injured, she chased until her ankle twisted, and she fell to the ground in utter disarray.
Watching the custom Rolls-Royce drive away, Serena cried out, “Mom.” But the car didn’t stop. Instead, it turned a corner and vanished from her sight.
How could things have come to this? Why?
She had played her tricks before, badmouthed Mirabella in social circles, but those whispers never reached her parents’ ears. Whenever they seemed suspicious, her tears would cover it all up.
Why was it so serious this time? They were actually resolute about moving her to the next house.
What would the household staff think?
“Next door” might sound close, but the distance to the main building was quite a stretch, a good five-
minute walk away. Her parents were actually going to banish her there, alone.
“Ms. Serena, please,” the leading servant gestured with a beckoning hand.
Tears streaked down Serena’s cheeks as she forced a bitter smile. Once upon a time, these very servants would have rushed to her aid had she stumbled. Now, they stood before her, impeccably lined up, clutching her belongings, not a hint of intention to help her up.
How quickly the tables turn.
In truth, the servants were too scared to approach, fearful of losing their jobs in the face of Mrs.
Collins’s wrath. But to Serena, it was clear they were fair-weather friends, keeping their distance now that she had fallen out of favor, no longer the attentive helpers they once were.
With great effort, Serena pushed herself off the ground. A light drizzle fell, and the chill wind cut through her, as cold as the attitudes around her.
Bruised from a beating the previous night and further injured from her fall, she staggered to her feet, her clothes stained and disheveled, a picture of utter disarray.
“What’s happened to Ms. Serena Collins? Where are they taking her?”
“Didn’t you hear? Ms. Serena Collins was caught bullying Ms. Mirabella Collins, and Mrs. Collins found out. She’s been sent to the guesthouse to reflect on her actions.”
“What? Ms. Serena Collins always seemed so sweet. How could she bully Ms. Mirabella Collins? Is there some misunderstanding?”
“You’re new here; you wouldn’t know. Ms. Mirabella Collins is the real gem.”
“Ms. Serena Collins was the apple of Mr. and Mrs. Collins’s eye since childhood. For her to be sent away to the guesthouse, it must mean she really crossed the line this time and angered them.””Ms. Mirabella Collins is their red line, and Serena crossed it.”
Limping along, Serena absorbed their discussions.
“Ms. Serena Collins’s been sent to the guesthouse, and if she doesn’t improve her behavior, she’ll probably be thrown out next, right?”
“Really? Is that true?”
“Could it be that the Collins family will have no place for Ms. Serena Collins anymore, only Ms. Mirabella Collins?”
“Raised with a silver spoon, can Ms. Serena Collins even survive without the Collins family’s support?”
Serena couldn’t believe they were already thinking so far ahead.
Didn’t anyone wish her well? It was just too much!
That evening.
When Kenneth and Louisa returned, Edith greeted them at the door, “Mr. and Mrs. Collins, Ms. Mirabella Collins won’t be joining us for dinner tonight; she had other engagements. It will just be the two of you dining.”
Louisa’s eyes dimmed slightly. She had hoped to have a heart-to-heart with her precious daughter, but it seemed that would have to wait for another day.
Kenneth sat down, his gaze lingering on the seats where Mirabella and Serena had once sat, a heaviness settling in his chest.
Edith explained as she served the food, “This one is wrapped in dough and filled with shrimp. Then there’s this one.”
Louisa watched her speak with such animation that she couldn’t help but ask, “You seem in a good mood?”
Caught off guard by Mrs. Collins’ observation, Edith quickly composed herself and replied respectfully, “Well, these dishes are delicately made, so I can’t help but feel a bit more spirited when I talk about them.”
But after all these years in this home, Louisa knew Edith like the back of her hand.