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?