Filed to story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family
Tears streamed down Serena’s face. How she longed to speak to Martha, but her body was devoid of strength.
She couldn’t see Martha, couldn’t touch her, didn’t know where she was.
She wanted to tell Martha that the Collins had given up on her, truly abandoned her, indifferent to whether she lived or died, left her to perish in the bone-chilling basement.
She yearned for someone to hold her.She was so cold.
Her whole body ached with an unbearable pain.
She wanted to leave this place.
The Collins family was only interested in finding her biological father, uncovering the truth behind the hospital fire from years ago, and exposing the true culprits. They didn’t care at all about her wellbeing.
Her heart ached, and she wanted to cry.
But Martha’s voice had faded away, replaced only by the cold wind brushing against her frail body, causing her to shiver uncontrollably.
She felt death approaching.
Perhaps in death, she could be with Martha, be heard, be cared for, be warm.
Meanwhile.
Belinda glanced at the clock; only the last hour remained of the 24 the doctor had mentioned.
“Can’t believe the guy’s got such a poker face. Does he think we’ll definitely save his darling daughter?”
Belinda was surprised. Erik, always so meek and diligent, had such a ruthless side.
The news had been out for hours. His daughter was about to die, and yet he hadn’t shown up.
“The New Year is coming. We can’t have someone die in our home.” Darren was partly superstitious, partly fearful that her restless spirit would disturb the peace of their house.
After all, the older generation held strong beliefs in such matters. They didn’t want to spend the rest of their days avoiding the basement, letting it be a constant thorn in their side, a reminder that would onlygrow more painful with time.
Kenneth and Louisa, Bard and Eunice sat in the living room in silence.
As the seconds ticked by.
Suddenly, a servant came rushing in with news, “Mister and Madam, it’s Mr. Cooper. He’s here with Erik—oh, I mean, he’s brought Erik with him.”
“What did you just say?” Louisa could hardly believe her ears. Had he actually caught Erik? The real Erik, not an impostor?
“Bring him in!” Kenneth feared any delay might give Erik a chance to slip away.
“Could this be a trap?” Belinda, ever cautious, chimed in. “Bella said Erik is a mid-level boss in a rival outfit. How could Martin have nabbed him so easily? Remember, our guys have been on it for days and nights with no luck. What if Erik and Martin are in cahoots, putting on a show for us?”
Maybe their goal was to rescue Serena?
“Do you think he’s got a plan B, maybe an ambush outside, or perhaps someone will attempt to break Erik out tonight?” Darren speculated.
“Possibly.”
The group mulled over their conversation, sensing there was some truth to their suspicions.
After all, with Martin’s capabilities, it seemed unlikely he would beat them to Erik.
“Let’s cross that bridge when we come to it. For now, let’s hear what he has to say,” Louisa decided, taking her seat of authority next to Kenneth, as they watched the figure walk through the door.
Martin led the way, urgency in his step, followed by two of his henchmen.
The thugs dragged in a bound and unconscious Erik, presenting him before the group.
“How on earth did you pull this off?” Louisa was incredulous.
Erik lay before them, tied up tight. Kenneth leaned in to check his pulse. He was indeed alive!Martin didn’t hide anything and spilled the beans.
“Last night, after I left the Collins residence, I called in a number of top-notch doctors to rush to my place. By dawn, I had them shake their heads and leave one by one. I instructed them to spread the word that Serena was critically injured, on death’s door, and wanted to see her father one last time. It wasn’t long before an unknown number got in touch with me.”
Louisa and Kenneth hadn’t expected Martin to actually have a plan that worked!
He had used Serena as bait to draw Erik out.
“Erik was obviously lurking in the shadows, keeping an eye on the outside world.” Kenneth gathered, turning to Martin, “So you laid a trap, waited for the right moment, and caught him?”
“Yes.” Martin glanced at Erik, a twinge of guilt in his eyes. After all, this was Serena’s biological father, and he had used the man’s life as leverage without her consent.
But he couldn’t just stand by and watch Serena die.
“Mr. and Mrs. Collins, I must ask you to hand Serena over to me. I’ve heard she has less than an hour to live. Keeping such a person is pointless for you, and her dying in your home would bring bad luck.
Why not let me take her? At least I can lay her to rest, prevent her from becoming a lost soul.”
Martin’s voice trembled with emotion, eyes glistening as he fought to keep his composure.
He was grief-stricken and in agony, fearing Serena would truly perish.
Still, in a hoarse, earnest voice, he said, “Erik is yours to deal with. I, Martin, will not interfere with your business or help him escape. My word is my bond.”Perhaps fearing they might refuse, he added, “Even if Serena could be saved, I swear on my life that I won’t help her harm the Collins family in any way. I’ll steer her towards the right path. if she has any life left in her.”
He paused, closing his eyes for a deep breath to stave off the tears.
“Please… hand her over to me.” Martin bowed deeply, his voice breaking, tears finally falling to the floor.
No one had expected him to be so devoted to Serena.
The clock hands had completed half their journey; Serena had less than half an hour left.
“A dying person is of no use to us. Since you wish to care for her remains, we’ll bring Serena here,”
Louisa commanded, and the order was given to bring Serena forth.
Martin hadn’t expected Louisa’s unexpected mercy. His eyes reddened with gratitude as he looked at her, his gaze filled with thanks.
Even in death, Martin was determined to bring Serena home.
Serena’s biological father had been captured, her mother had passed away, and her adoptive parents had severed all ties with her.
She was left with no one but him to rely upon.
Even if all he could reclaim was her lifeless body, even if he could never walk her down the aisle, he was resolved to take his beloved back home, to ensure her soul could find peace.
“Thank you,” Martin’s voice choked up, “Thank you, Mrs. Collins, thank you everyone.”
He knew he no longer had the right to be part of the Collins family.
But still, he was deeply grateful for their decision.
When Serena was brought before him, Martin could hardly believe his eyes.
The once dignified and beautiful heiress, with her poise and grace, now appeared disheveled, battered, and hanging by a thread.
His heart felt as if it were being crushed by a weight of thousands of tons, too heavy to breathe.
His Serena, the moonlight of his heart, now looked so miserable.
Not only did she have wounds on her forehead, but her face, limbs, and clothes were all stained with blood.
When the servants handed Serena over to him, he couldn’t believe it, holding her gingerly in his arms, afraid to cause her the slightest pain.He had held her before, but the person in his arms now was frighteningly light, much lighter than before, her body limp and without any strength, her skin scorchingly hot.
Tears uncontrollably streamed down his face, his heart torn asunder.
His Serena, whom he hadn’t seen in days, had become this.
Louisa ordered the staff to bring up two large trunks.
Inside were trophies, medals, and certificates Serena had won from childhood to adulthood.
In truth, these accolades were also gifts from the Collins family. Without their years of nurturing her talents and supporting her interests, she would never have achieved such honors, such glory.
“Take these with you,” Louisa said coldly, devoid of any emotion, her expression indifferent, “Beyond this, anything related to her, we will dispose of. Furthermore, she is not our biological daughter, and she will no longer appear on our family registry.”
They were the heads of the household, with the right to move her registration.
As for where she might be registered in the future, that was her own affair.
Martin understood that the Collins family was intent on erasing every trace of Serena’s existence from their home.
If it wasn’t for their deep-seated hatred, given the Collins’ reputation for decency, they would never have taken such a ruthless step.
They truly wanted to cut ties with Serena.
Although it pained him to see Serena reach this point, and to see her clash with the family she cared for, Martin also understood the feelings of the Collins family. This time, Serena had truly broken theirhearts.
