The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella) novel Chapter 1630

Louisa's gaze drifted beyond the windowpane.

In the winter's bitter embrace, the girl, whether from the cold or the pain, couldn't stop her slight frame from shivering. Struggling, she bent to retrieve the broken branch lying before her.

"Ms. Serena." Betty sobbed, shaking her head, "Stop torturing yourself."

Serena reached out but couldn't grasp the branch before her; whether from her lingering illness or the harsh beating she had just endured, she once again collapsed weakly into the snow.

"Ms. Serena?!" Betty cried out, rushing to her aid. Serena's body was limp, as if all strength had fled from her. It took Betty several attempts to finally prop her up, "Mr. and Mrs. Collins, Ms. Serena can’t make it! Please, come out and check up on her!"

Kenneth and Louisa were overwhelmed with mixed emotions.

That was when Edith briskly entered the living room, "Mrs. Collins, something happened."

She handed Louisa an envelope.

Outside, Serena knelt, her teeth chattering in the cold.

"Ms. Serena, are you freezing? I'll fetch you a coat."

Betty started to rise, but Serena's icy hand pressed her down, her voice trembling, "No need."

She had dressed lightly on purpose, hoping to soften her parents' hearts. The more she suffered in the cold, the more disheveled she appeared, the greater the chance to move her parents.

Clearly, she meant for Kenneth and Louisa to hear.

"Ms. Serena???" Betty lacked the courage, shaking her head vehemently, "You're already pale; you can't be hit anymore."

"Do it quickly." Serena clutched her hand, as her parents drew nearer, pleading desperately, "Let me learn my lesson; let me remember for life how outrageous my mistake was. If you won't do it, must I?"

Louisa approached and stood still before her.

"Fine, I'll punish myself," Serena was about to feign hitting herself. But in the next instant, Louisa raised her hand and delivered a stinging slap.

Serena was stunned, even Betty was frozen in shock. What was happening? Wasn't Mrs. Collins here to bring Ms. Serena back to the main house?