Filed To Story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family
Martin gently laid Serena back onto the bed and tucked her in, observing her in silence.
The wound on her forehead was still healing. The delay of three days had caused redness and swelling, despite the doctor’s efforts.
Fortunately, she hadn’t seen her reflection yet, or it would have been another bout of tears.
“I’m going to make a call. Stay with her,” Martin said as he stood up and walked into the study to dial that mysterious number.
“Awake yet?” The voice on the other end of the phone, distorted by a voice changer, was emotionless.
Martin spoke the truth, “Yeah, she’s up.”
A few days earlier, he had called Mirabella, begging her to save Serena. Mirabella had flatly refused.
Just when he was at his wit’s end in the hospital, an unknown number called him, saying there was a way to save Serena.
But there was a catch: Martin had to agree to do three things for the caller.
The caller didn’t specify what these three tasks were, only insisting that Martin agree first.
In the end, with Serena’s life hanging in the balance, Martin agreed.
“What’s the first thing I need to do?” Martin asked.
“No rush,” came the calm, authoritative reply, even through the voice changer.
“When the time comes for you to act, I’ll let you know. If I don’t reach out, you don’t need to contact me.
Now that your lady’s awake, our deal is in full swing. Here’s to a pleasant collaboration.”
With that, the call ended.
Martin felt uneasy. He had a hunch that the caller was trouble, but given the situation, he had no other choice.
He couldn’t just watch the woman he loved slip away.
Initially, the caller had sent him to a place to pick up a pill. After Serena took it, she didn’t wake up.
He even suspected the medication was faulty and made threats.It wasn’t until two days later, when the hospital announced that Serena’s condition was stable and she could go home to recover, that he began to feel some relief.
Thanks to the high-end medical equipment he had splurged on for Serena, she could spend the holidays at home instead of in the sterile environment of the hospital.
To his surprise, a few days after taking the pill, Serena actually woke up.
While he was overjoyed, he also felt worried about whatever might come next.
Back at Reflections Villa.
Mirabella arrived home to find family portraits from last Christmas displayed everywhere.
“Bella, you’re back? How do you like these photos?” Louisa, gripping her hand, beamed, “The biggest one goes on the wall, so guests see it right as they come in. And these smaller ones, let’s put one on each end table, so guests can see our happy family while they’re having coffee.”
“Oh please, who cares about those?” Sean commented sourly. “Besides, is the family even complete?
Anyone would think you’ve lost a son.”
He had missed the last Christmas photo, so he wasn’t in the family portraits. Knowing now how adorable and beloved his sister was, he wished he had crawled to be in the photo with her, no matter how badly he had been hurt.
“You’re just sour grapes because you missed out.” Clark, picking up a photo of him and his sister, admired it contentedly, “I think this one will look perfect on my desk. And this frame is super cute.”
“Look at you, it’s hideous.” Sean scoffed at Clark in the photo, “Look at Bella, she’s practically grimacing with you.””That’s not true, she’s clearly smiling.”
“That’s called a forced smile.”
Seeing her brothers bicker again, Mirabella couldn’t help but laugh, “Alright, cut it out, you guys. We’ll take more photos at the New Year’s celebration, won’t we?”
“How did you know?” Everyone turned to look at her in unison, puzzled. They hadn’t leaked a word.
Who had told her?
“Don’t we take them every holiday?” Mirabella replied with a smile, already anticipating the next round of family photos and the memories they would capture.
Ever since Mirabella came back home, every family holiday turned into a photo shoot. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and now it was clear that New Year would be no different.
“Bella is just so smart.” Kenneth said with a twinkling smile. “Now that Bella has caught on to the pattern, I might as well spill the beans. Indeed, we’ve got a photo crew coming over tomorrow. We’ll all dress up in matching family outfits and take pictures without any fuss.”
“This means I’ll get more snapshots with Bella,” Clark boasted to Sean.
Sean couldn’t swallow his pride, but then he heard his sister ask, “Sean, didn’t you say on the way home you wanted to take some selfies with me?”
“Oh, right, I almost forgot.” Sean, thrilled that his sister was saving face for him, eagerly pulled out his phone, wrapped an arm around her shoulder, and snap, snap, snapped away.
Clark couldn’t help but tease, “Can’t you ever stop? Taking so many shots in the same pose, aren’t you tired? Bella must be exhausted!”
“You have no clue. It’s about different angles!” Sean retorted, then posed for the phone again. “Come on, Bella, give us a smile.”
Mirabella lit up with a grin, and Sean tapped the screen multiple times, capturing several more images.
“That’s hideous, what’s there to photograph?” Clark complained when he saw Sean baring his teeth in the shots.
“Mind if I join?” Chasel pushed his way in, standing on Mirabella’s other side, eager to get in the frame.
“Who wants to take a picture with you? Move over, you’re blocking the shot of me and Bella.”Everyone around couldn’t help but laugh.
At For·ena Villa.
When Serena woke again, her lifeless eyes betrayed no emotion, as if her spirit was crushed by the world.
“Serena, you’re awake? Thank goodness.” Dora quickly fished out her phone to call Martin.
The attending doctor stepped forward to examine Serena, ensuring there were no complications before heaving a sigh of relief.
Martin, who was in the middle of a shower when he heard Serena had awakened, threw on a robe and rushed over.
Serena noticed his hair was still damp, and his skin looked soft and clean from the steam.
Truth be told, Martin looked handsome from this angle.
“Serena? You’re finally awake.” Martin was elated. “Are you thirsty? Hungry? Want something to eat?
The doctor said you could have some broth now that you’re awake, right Doctor?”
He turned to the doctor with his question.
The doctor, momentarily enchanted by Martin’s dashing appearance, snapped back to reality and replied, “Yes. Serena can start with some broth. She should eat light, in small amounts, and frequently.
She can’t fill up all at once.”
After all, it had been days since she had eaten.
“Shall I have someone bring up some broth?” Martin asked softly, looking at the woman in the bed.”Mhm,” Serena nodded, causing Martin’s face to light up – she finally wanted to eat.
It was a positive sign.
If her mood continued to be low, it would only worsen her condition.
“I’ll go get it,” Dora chimed in joyfully. “Just a moment, Serena, I’ll be right back.”
“You can go now,” Martin said to the doctor.
Though the doctor seemed reluctant to leave, she bowed and exited at Martin’s request.
Dora quickly returned with a bowl of broth.
“Let me do it,” Martin said, taking the bowl to feed her.
“You insist on having the kitchen prepare food for all three meals. Today, it’s finally come in handy,”
Dora said with a smile. “I’ll just wait outside, then. Mr. Martin, Miss Serena, if you need anything, just holler.”
Serena never imagined that during her unconscious spell, Martin would have the kitchen make her share, hoping she’d wake up.
At that moment, Martin scooped up a spoonful of broth, gently blew on it to cool it, and brought it to her lips.
Serena hadn’t eaten in days, and with the first taste of the broth, she realized how wonderfully flavorful it was!
She had grown accustomed to the lavish feasts at the Collins household and couldn’t remember the last time a simple bowl of broth tasted so good.
Had the Collins family starved her for so long that she had forgotten the taste of plain food?
Or had she indulged in delicacies to the point where she had forgotten the straightforward flavor of broth?
Right then, she wanted another spoonful, and then another, and another.