The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella) novel Chapter 1795

“We Collins family had taken her in like one of our own, with open hearts and open arms. But how did she repay us? A good flogging would be too kind for her, and if Erik Lott doesn't show up, it's no skin off our noses. If his own daughter starves or falls ill, it's on him, not us."

Martin's heart knotted in concern at her decisive words, "Mrs. Collins."

The mere thought of death frightened him. He feared Serena might die of starvation just as Louisa said. For such a grave matter, she must have got enough beaten up by the Collins family; if she didn’t receive prompt treatment after that and didn’t have anything to eat either.

The latest surveillance footage was two days old, which meant Serena could have been hurt and hungry for that long.

"Mrs. Collins. I know Serena has made grave mistakes, let you down, and broken your hearts. I know it's your family business. How you choose to handle it is beyond my say, but Serena is my girlfriend."

The room fell silent, their gazes turning to him in stunned disbelief. Did he hit his head or something?

"After all this, you still take her as your girlfriend?"

What sort of blind love was this? The girl was rotten to the core, and he still wanted her?

"Mr. and Mrs. Collins, Mr. and Mrs. Griffith, I know you mean well for me, but the time I've spent with Serena has been the happiest of my life. When I confessed my love to her, I promised that no matter what happened, I would never leave her. Serena used to be innocent and kind-hearted. Her missteps are partly due to the bad influences around her, and yes, being coddled since childhood, her immaturity and lack of resolve played a role, too. She's definitely in the wrong this time, and her actions shocked me, too. But to watch her die, I can't do that. It's almost New Year, and keeping her here is just causing you more trouble. She's been sheltered and frail all her life, and any misfortune would be bad luck, wouldn't it? Why not leave her to me?"

They were all rendered speechless, not expecting the kid to be so bent on saving a girl who seemed beyond redemption.

"I know you want Erik, and I promise, within a week, I'll bring him right to you."

Eunice's lips curled into a cold, beautiful smile, "You think you can do what we couldn't?"