The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella) novel Chapter 1903

Serena stood numbly in the dimly lit room, her mind a chaotic swirl of disbelief and betrayal. The Collins family, to whom she had given her loyalty and love, had cut her off without a second thought upon discovering she was not their flesh and blood. It was more than she could bear.

After what felt like an eternity, she managed to lift her gaze towards Martin and asked with a voice tinged with desperation, "Is there anything else you're keeping from me? What else don't I know?"

Ever since she had woken up to this nightmare, it had been one shocking revelation after another. She felt like she was living in a bad dream, her reality crumbling around her.

Martin hesitated, knowing the fragility of Serena’s state. Finally, he locked eyes with her and confessed, "There is one more thing. Do you remember when you thought Alma had you beaten up, shoved into a sack? Well, I had someone take care of her in return, but her wounds healed, and her mother's been digging around. She confronted me recently."

"Beverly came after you? Does she know you did it?" Serena couldn't imagine how Beverly, despite her cunning, had managed to trace it back to Martin so quickly.

"Not exactly," he replied. "She just told me it wasn't Alma who had you beaten up. We got the wrong person."

Serena scoffed in disbelief. Who else could despise her enough to do such a thing?

After a moment, Martin added gravely, "She claimed it was Romeo who ordered it."

The room spun as Serena tried to process what she'd just heard. It couldn't be true.

"She said there's proof, it was Romeo," Martin continued, watching her closely, concerned she might crumble under the weight of this revelation. She had loved Romeo so passionately.

She had once thought it was Arabella who kept Romeo at arm's length, but now she understood the bitter truth. It was her own presence that he detested.

"Given the past ties between the Collins and the McMillian families, Romeo never confronted you openly. But things are different now. You've severed ties with the Collins. We need to keep a low profile and focus on healing. Let the past go," Martin advised gently, guiding her away from the room that symbolized her pain.

As he locked the door behind them, he added, "I'm locking away your past. From now on, you must look forward."

Tears streamed down Serena's cheeks, her emotions indescribable.

At Reflections Villa, Arabella had brought joy to her brothers and the staff the evening before, distributing skincare products and ointments like treasures. Their gratitude and happiness were a stark contrast to Serena's heartache.