The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella) novel Chapter 1919

Actually, she didn't have to make a phone call at all.

After finding an excuse to leave, she made her way to the garden.

Romeo had already messaged her, saying he would come over to join her for dinner.

"Bella!"

Suddenly, a voice called out.

Alma caught up to Arabella, "Can we talk?"

She'd noticed earlier that Arabella was bored and didn't want to stay in the living room, hence the excuse to step outside.

Arabella didn't have much to discuss with her. As she started to walk away, Alma said, "I'm not like Serena, I don't play her childish games. Let's wipe the slate clean on the past. With Serena out of the picture, I think we could be great friends."

Before Arabella could respond, Alma presumptuously added, "Even if we can't be good friends, there's no need to be enemies, right? I really admire you. You and Serena are worlds apart."

Arabella looked up, eyeing her shrewd and confident cousin.

At Mr. Eugene's last birthday, Alma haughtily challenged her to a violin duel, claiming they'd see who Jamie would take on as a pupil.

They both played a piece that Regan and Jamie had performed together—The Life.

Arabella was clearly superior, but Alma, not accepting defeat, insisted on another round, only to lose again and had to abide by the bet: she was banned for life from the violin world and could no longer touch anything related to the violin.

"Even if I can't touch anything related to the violin for the rest of my life, I've never blamed you. I was simply outplayed!" Alma shouted after her retreating figure, "Isn't it better to have one more friend than one more enemy? Arabella, I know you don't trust me, but I truly want to let bygones be bygones. We are family after all!"

Arabella paused, turning her head slightly, her voice icy, "You and I will never be family."

The blood of the Collins family ran through her veins but they would never truly become a loving family.

Alma was taken aback, not expecting Arabella to be so blunt.

"Keep being ungrateful, and you'll end up just like her." Arabella dropped this line and walked away.

Alma hadn't expected Arabella to be so resistant and wondered what methods her brothers had used to get close to her.