Filed To Story: Returning to Her Not-So-Poor Family
Mirabella couldn’t help but laugh, “Is Romeo going?”
“He usually skips these kinds of events, leaving the McMillian family’s eldest son to make an appearance. But now that your engagement news is out, and he’s been officially invited, I think it’s up to you. If you’re going, he’ll surely attend. You two should definitely wear matching outfits.”
“What your mom means is, give Romeo a call. See if he’s going. If he is, you two can ride together.
Your mom and I will take another car.”
Mirabella nodded, just about to message Romeo when her phone lit up with a notification. It was Romeo, “Bella, are you going to the gala tomorrow night?”
“What about you?” She texted back.
“If you’re going, I’m going.””Then I’ll pick out a suit for you.”
“Great, I’ll pick you up tomorrow night. We can get dressed and head over together.”
Mirabella sent back an “OK”.
For·ena Villa.
After Martin fed Serena, he pushed Serena’s wheelchair into the garden for a stroll.
“These cherry blossoms are beautiful,” Serena admired, looking up at the thousands of pink petals above.
Martin plucked a branch with about a dozen blossoms and handed it to her.
“If you like them, I’ll plant more. That way, you can enjoy this view from your window every winter.”
Serena’s smile was about to bloom but as if she thought of something, suddenly her expression changed.
“Serena??” Martin asked, puzzled.
“Serena, what’s wrong?” Martin noticed something was amiss; he looked at her, his voice laden with concern, “Is it your heart?” “Serena??” Seeing her in such agony, Martin sensed the urgency, “Serena??”
“It hurts.” Serena’s voice came out through clenched teeth, the pain so intense it was nearly unbearable, “Martin, it hurts so much.”
“Don’t be afraid. I’m here.” Martin quickly took her hands, and raised his gaze to Dr. Leona, “What’s going on? Why is she in so much pain all of a sudden?”
“Sir, the report shows that her levels are way off the charts. I can’t be sure what’s causing it. I recommend taking her to the hospital for a comprehensive evaluation.”
Seeing tears streaming down Serena’s face as she writhed in pain, Martin didn’t hesitate. He scooped her up in his arms, “Get the car ready. We’re heading to the hospital.”
On the way, Serena coughed up blood, shocking Martin to his core. He shouted at the driver to step on it.
They reached Hope Hospital in no time, with Martin sprinting towards the emergency room, carrying Serena in his arms.
Serena had gone into a coma; as the ER doctors took one look at her, they had her rushed into the ICU.
There were various medical instruments inside, which could constantly monitor vital signs to tell each parameter symbolized normality or not. Martin stepped back, utterly perplexed till now about what had happened.
He had only just fed Serena dinner and taken her for a walk along the estate’s garden paths. How could she have fallen so ill, vomiting blood no less? Could the food have been tampered with?
With this troubling thought, Martin called his staff, ordering a thorough inspection of the evening’s ingredients. He also commanded all servants to remain on the premises. If someone had poisonedSerena, they wouldn’t get away with it.
Martin sat outside the ICU, his mind dragging him back to the night he had brought Serena home from the Collins family. She had been in critical condition then too, and he had spent an agonizing night on a bench, just like this.
Feeling utterly drained, he suddenly became aware of a disapproving gaze upon him. Lifting his eyes, he was met with the stern look of his father, Ansel Cooper.
“Dad, what are you doing here?” Martin spotted his father sitting on a nearby bench, his sister alongside him, and two bodyguards stationed outside another ICU room.
A sense of foreboding washed over him. He had been so focused on following Serena’s gurney into the ICU that he hadn’t even noticed his own family in the corridor.
“What’s going on?” Martin glanced at his father and sister, but neither responded.
He turned his attention to the bodyguards. One of them spoke up, “Mrs. Cooper saw the news about your wedding announcement. It set off her heart condition. She’s in the ICU now.”
Before Martin could even process this information, Ansel stood up and slapped him across the face.Martin, seeing his sister in such distress, bore the brunt of her anger quietly, asking with genuine concern after a while, “What did the doctors say?”
Diana pushed him away, “Just go. You’re only making Mom worse. She doesn’t want to see you right now!”
“You don’t deserve to be a Cooper; get lost!” Ansel fumed, “Get out of my sight!”
Martin could only come to the hospital’s terrace, straining his eyes to catch a glimpse of his father and sister through the distance. In two separate ICU rooms on this floor lay the two people he cherished most.
The following evening, the annual charity gala was the talk of the town, which was held at the five-star Summerfield Hotel.
When Romeo’s car pulled up, the press swarmed like bees to honey. Without the dozens of security personnel maintaining order, they would have surely broken through the velvet ropes to cluster around Romeo.
Romeo stepped out looking as dashing as ever, the cut of his suit making him appear as if he’d stepped right out of a graphic novel with his sharp brows and starry eyes.
The moment he opened the car door and held Mirabella’s hand, the paparazzi’s flashes went into overdrive. Their matching designer outfits – clearly the work of Maestro Stylish – screamed couple goals.
They were set to be the talk of the evening.
Reporters went live as Romeo’s hand found Mirabella’s slender waist, the pair making a grand entrance into the hotel.
Trailing behind them, Kenneth and Louisa greeted the crowd with beaming smiles, exuding warmth and charisma.
Meanwhile, Serena had just opened her eyes on the hospital bed when Dora exclaimed with joy, “Serena, you’re finally awake.”
Lifting her heavy eyelids, Serena’s voice came out hoarse and weak, “Where am I?””In the ICU.”
It was a high-class hospital room equipped with enough medical facilities for constant monitoring, ready for immediate medical intervention if the patient’s condition worsened.
“Mr. Cooper went to speak with the doctor about your condition; he’ll be back soon. Are you feeling any better?” Dora asked with concern.
Serena’s face was ashen, and pain shot through her at intervals, leaving her to whisper feebly, “It still hurts. Did the doctors say what caused it?”
Dora shook her head, “A couple of doctors have already examined you, but none can pinpoint the cause. Mr. Cooper even had last night’s dinner checked – no issues with the food. All the staff’s alibis check out, no motives, no opportunities. Nobody seems to have harmed you.”
What in the world was happening then? Neither Dora nor Serena could understand it.
Serena closed her eyes feebly, only to open them again moments later, “Call the nurse, I need painkillers.”
The pain was unbearable.
She fumbled with the remote, and the screen lit up with live coverage of tonight’s charity gala.Serena saw Romeo and Mirabella’s grand appearance, the lavish setting, the press camping out, and Kenneth and Louisa waving affectionately at the cameras, her heart twisting in agony, a suffocating feeling creeping over her. Reаd at Serena couldn’t hold back any longer; a gush of blood spilled from her lips.
At the gala.
Harriet watched, seething, as Mirabella decently stood by Romeo’s side, guests flocking to them, who were eager to rub elbows with them.
They looked like an ideal couple, a perfect pair, their very presence enough to make anyone green with envy.
Finally, Mirabella was alone, and Harriet’s eyes gleamed with a vengeful spark, “Dad, I saw the person who hit me!”
“Lead the way.” Addison said, setting his drink aside and rising with anger in his voice, “I want to see who had the nerve to lay a hand on you.”
As Harriet led the way, they neared Mirabella. Suddenly, Addison’s voice rose with excitement, “At last, I find you here!”
Harriet looked on, stunned as her normally haughty father now treated Mirabella with the utmost politeness and respect, bending at the waist to shake her hand. Mirabella returned the gesture with a familiar smile, as though greeting an old friend.
“Bart Monroe, it’s been ages,” Mirabella greeted Addison.
“I was thrilled to learn from our call last night that you’d be attending tonight’s ball. I cleared my schedule just to see you, and I’m overjoyed that we’ve met.” The joy and gratitude were unmistakable in Addison’s eyes, “You’ve been busy, and I’ve never had the chance to properly thank you. After all you’ve been through recently, I haven’t been of much help, but I want you to know, if there’s anything I can do for you, just say the word.”
Harriet was dumbfounded. When had Mirabella become her father’s savior? She had no clue.”Bart, you’ve already been a great help,” Mirabella said with a gentle tone.
“That’s nothing. Should you ever need anything, even if I’m on my last breath, I will pay you back!”
“But, Dad.” Harriet couldn’t help but interject.
“Show some respect! This is Mirabella, the Earwood family’s friend. She saved your grandfather’s life, and mine too. You’re a few months younger than Mirabella, so you should take her as your sister.”
Sister? Considered Bella as her sister?
Addison chuckled and introduced Harriet to Mirabella, “This is my daughter Harriet, recently returned from abroad.”
Mirabella’s lips curled in amusement, “We met yesterday.”
So this was Addison’s daughter? She had heard he mentioned his daughter, but had no idea it was Harriet.
“Oh? Do you know each other???” Addison was a bit surprised.
At the time, Romeo, having finished his conversation with the guests, approached them, “Bart, business must be good these days.”
Addison gestured humbly with his little finger. “A check?” Addison turned perplexed to his daughter, “Why did you give Mirabella a check?”
“Dammit!” Addison slapped his daughter on the shoulder. He restrained himself from striking her face, mindful of the many guests present.
“What kind of nonsense are you spouting? The two McMillian families are flesh and blood, kin through and through. Who are you to stir up strife? And what’s this about buying affection? Are you trying to meddle in their relationship?”
Addison’s furious voice drew the attention of a few guests, and Harriet wished she could just disappear.
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.