The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella) novel Chapter 1756

"Let me handle this," Bard hoisted his sister into his arms, taking the stairs one by one.

"You okay to walk?" Eunice whispered to Kenneth.

Kenneth clutched his chest, gasping for air for what seemed like an eternity before he finally nodded through his tears. With a shaky hand on the banister, he began his slow ascent.

As Serena watched his frail and despairing figure retreat, a twinge of conscience pricked her heart, and she was suddenly consumed with regret.

What had she done to bring everything to this point.

Eunice gazed at the young woman before her. Her forehead, cheeks, and chin were covered in blood; her clothes were damp, her hair a tangled mess, and her eyes, once vibrant, now dull with remorse. It seemed she truly comprehended her mistakes.

"This family, from the start, has treated you as one of their own. If you hadn’t done what you did, you'd be just as important to us as before. In Kenneth and Louisa's eyes, you and Bella are their dear daughters. Bard and I, we’ve always seen you as our beloved niece, and to your brothers, you're their cherished sister."

Eunice's casual words made Serena lift her tearful eyes in shock, as if she couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"But it's too late for any of that now." Eunice cut through her fantasies and aspirations with a cold finality. "Your whole family has to pay for your mistakes."

"Auntie." Serena sobbed, trying to say more.

"Bella survived – that's her own doing. But that doesn’t absolve you of the consequences of your actions."

Eunice's indifferent figure continued up the stairs, leaving Serena crying out in desperation, "Auntie. please, one more chance, I promise it's the last time."

She truly regretted her actions.