Filed To Story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family
Darren couldn’t handle the shock. He clutched his chest, gasping for air, visibly shaken.
Was this the Serena he knew?
No, she didn’t carry the Collins name; she was the child of Erik and Martha.
And the three of them dared to bully Bella.
“Dad, take it easy. Breathe deeply.” Louisa quickly patted his back.
Belinda was too outraged to form a complete sentence, “She actually, actually.””Mom?” Eunice hadn’t expected her mother to faint from the overwhelming emotions, and she called out, “Doctor, quickly!”
Several doctors rushed from the parlor, medical kits in hand.
“How could she become like this.” Darren’s vision went dark as he collapsed.
Had Eunice not caught him in time, he would have hit the floor.
Kenneth and Bard laid them out on the sofas, thankfully spacious enough for them to lie flat.
The doctor had administered shots, and it took a long while before they regained consciousness.
“Bella, my dear granddaughter.” Darren stirred, his emotions immediately running high.
Louisa quickly reassured him, “She’s fine, doing really well. Romeo said she wasn’t hurt. She’ll be home soon.”
Tears streamed down Darren’s cheeks. He had never imagined that Serena could be so heartless. after all the kindness their family had shown her.
“Dad, don’t cry. I’ve already given her a piece of my mind, and now she’s locked up in the basement.”
“I have to see her.” Darren insisted on getting up.
“Why would you want to see her in your state.?”
“I need to ask her face to face why she did it, why she betrayed our family’s love and trust.” Darren was visibly upset, slapping the armrest of the sofa, tears flowing relentlessly.
Louisa felt even more heartbroken seeing her father so agitated at his age, blaming herself more.
“I’m going too.” Belinda seemed like she had lost her soul, her entire presence was desolate, as she tried to get up, tears silently streaming down her face. Her sorrow was silent and profound, a stark contrast to Darren’s vocal anger.
Realizing further resistance was futile, Louisa decided to help them to the basement door.
She didn’t want to go inside; she couldn’t bear to see that pitiful, tear-stained face again.
And so, Darren and Belinda pushed open the door and went into the basement.Bard stood guard outside, just in case.
Elsewhere.
The plane carrying Mirabella touched down on the Reflections Villa helipad.
When Louisa heard the news from the servants, she rushed outside, running towards the plane.
Romeo wrapped Mirabella up in her coat and scarf, taking her hand as they descended the plane’s stairs. From a distance, they could see Louisa running towards them.
“Bella.”
Louisa was running fast, desperate to reach her daughter as soon as possible.
The ground was wet from recent snow, and she nearly slipped several times.
“Mom, slow down.” Mirabella quickened her pace towards her mother, her figure commanding and tall.
“Bella, you’re finally back.” Louisa embraced her tightly. If it hadn’t been for a group of people who appeared just in time to help, she might have lost her daughter forever.
“Mrs. Collins, Bella’s injured.” Romeo couldn’t help but speak out when he saw Louisa’s tight embrace.
“Injured?” Louisa quickly let go, examining her daughter, “Where are you hurt?”
She turned to Romeo, “Didn’t you say she was alright, not injured?”
“It was my decision not to tell you.”
Mirabella had specifically instructed Romeo before falling asleep that if any family member asked, he was not to reveal her injuries.”You silly girl, not even telling me where you’re hurt. Let’s go inside, I’ll have the doctor look at you.”
Even though she knew her daughter was a brilliant doctor, it’s often said that healers can’t heal themselves. At this moment, as she held her daughter’s arm, she wished they could move faster.
“Mrs. Collins.” Romeo tried to interrupt again.
Louisa seemed to anticipate something, instinctively releasing her grip and looking at the arm she had been holding, “Is it injured here? This spot?”
“It’s nothing serious,” Mirabella said calmly. “It’s already been dressed.”
“Did I hurt you just now? I hope the wound hasn’t reopened. Come inside quickly, I’ll have the doctor check it out.”
Louisa hurriedly ushered her into the house.
“Are Grandma and Grandpa here, and Uncle and Auntie too?”
Mirabella had noticed on the helipad that there were two more choppers, both belonging to her uncle.
But why were there two? Did Uncle and Auntie come separately from Grandma and Grandpa? Why would they do that??
“Yes, they’re all here, just waiting to see you.”
As Louisa led Mirabella into the main house, they bumped into Eunice. Eunice immediately stepped forward and gave Mirabella a gentle hug.
“Good to have you back safe and sound.” She patted Mirabella’s head and then glanced at Romeo, “You made it?”
“Aunt Eunice.” Romeo greeted her with the respectful affection of a younger family member.
Eunice smiled and nodded, “Stay for dinner tonight. Your Grandpa and Grandma are here along with your uncle. It’ll be lively with everyone around.”
“With all that’s happened at home, I’m sure there’s a lot you want to tell Bella. I won’t stay, I’ll join you all for the new year dinner.”
Mirabella was puzzled.
“Alright,” Eunice said with a smile, lifting her red lips, “but at least have some hot cocoa before you go, someone?”A servant immediately brought over two cups of hot cocoa, placing one in front of Romeo and one in front of Mirabella.
Louisa held Mirabella’s hand, expressing warm concern, and as she spoke, tears of sympathy began to fall.
Mirabella hadn’t revealed the true faces of Serena, Erik, and Martha to the family because, firstly, there wasn’t enough evidence, and secondly, the matter hadn’t been significant enough to cause a stir like it had now, which was necessary to make the family give up on Serena entirely.
Thirdly, she feared her parents would be heartbroken, as they were now, after all, they had raised Serena for eighteen years.
“It’s all our fault.” Louisa began to embrace Mirabella, then suddenly remembered something, “Right, we must call the doctor to check Bella, she’s been hurt.”
Several doctors approached with their medical bags, and the family crowded around Mirabella.
Today, she wore a loose sweater, and if they rolled up the sleeves, they could see the white bandages on her arms.
Perhaps Louisa had hugged her too tightly earlier, causing the wound to reopen and stain the white bandage with spots of red.
Tears welled up in Louisa’s eyes again, “I’m so sorry.”
Mirabella knew her mother was overly sensitive after enduring so many blows in such a short period.
Mirabella reassured her, “It’s okay, it doesn’t hurt at all.”
Hearing her daughter’s thoughtful words, Louisa’s tears flowed once more.Such a caring, lovable child, she thought. In contrast, the child that Erik and Martha had brought into the world was nothing short of disappointing.
Some people were just ungrateful, no matter how well you treated them.
Her sensibility was heart-wrenching.
The doctor carefully treated Mirabella’s wound and rebandaged it. Mirabella thought to herself that the bandaging was adequate and let it be.
Afterward, Louisa and Eunice asked Mirabella about the details of her kidnapping, along with some past events.
Seeing they had more to discuss, Romeo excused himself.
“I’ll walk you out,” Mirabella offered as she stood up.
Romeo knew she was worried about her family asking for more details about the ‘triangular zone’, which would cause them distress and guilt.
So he said, “Sure, then Aunt Eunice, Mrs. Collins, I’ll be off now.”
“Romeo, don’t forget to come over for the dinner.” Louisa said invitingly, “I’ll have your portion prepared.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Collins,” Romeo replied, then nodded to Eunice before picking up Mirabella’s coat, which was draped over a sofa, and helping her into it, careful not to let her catch a chill as they stepped out.
“I had Carl swing by to pick me up, got a little situation to tidy up at the office. Someone else will fly the jet back,” Romeo said, slipping Mirabella’s hand into the deep pocket of his coat to shield it from the biting cold.
“Alright,” Mirabella replied, escorting him to the front porch just as Carl’s car rolled up to the curb.