The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella) novel Chapter 1540

"Given what you know about Serena, what do you think the chances are she actually said those things?" Kenneth and Louisa peered anxiously at Arabella, as if on tenterhooks for her verdict.

"One hundred percent."

Arabella's unequivocal response floored Kenneth and Louisa.

"Has she been doing things behind our backs, things to hurt you, like disrespecting you, being two-faced, or maybe still carrying a torch for Romeo?"

"Yes."

The confirmation rocked Kenneth and Louisa to their core, "When did it start?"

Was it recent weeks? The past couple of months?

"Always."

"You're saying, for the entire six months since you returned home, Serena has been like this? Just putting on a show for us?"

"Yes."

Arabella's final word left Kenneth and Louisa utterly stunned. They exchanged speechless glances, unable to articulate their disbelief.

"She must have kept quiet about Serena's actions to spare our feelings, to keep us from being upset. She's so considerate, it breaks my heart."

Louisa felt a lump in her throat, realizing that Bella had faced every slight, every hypocrisy from Serena alone, all the while caring for her parents' emotions, never speaking ill of Serena, always the picture of forbearance.

"Serena must have been slandering Bella behind her back this whole time; otherwise, Bella wouldn't be so certain it was her doing. Serena has become a stranger to us," Kenneth never imagined Serena changing this way.

"I thought all the talks we had with Serena had sunk in. She always called Bella 'sis' and greeted her with such a bright smile. I was so pleased. To think it was all an act." Louisa felt a chill of disappointment and distress.

"If Serena and Bella truly can't get along, there's no point in forcing them to live under the same roof. Let's have her move out in a few days." Kenneth said with a heavy sigh.