The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella) novel Chapter 2016

Martin was no match for the moment; he tangled with Serena's lips, ferocious and fiery.

After giving him a taste of sweetness, Serena shyly pushed him away.

Desire still smoldered in Martin's eyes. He rasped, his voice husky as he looked at the demure girl wearing a blissful smile, "Are you serious?"

A flicker of disappointment and hurt crossed Serena's eyes, "So my big confession just now fell flat? You don’t believe me? You think I'm just toying with you? Or do you despise me because I'm in a wheelchair, thinking I'm an embarrassment. If that's the case, just pretend I never said a thing. Let me down, please."

Her words were cut short as he silenced her with a kiss.

After a long, passionate moment, Martin gazed at her with excitement and joy he couldn't contain, his smile unstoppable, "Alright, let's get engaged. But it should be me asking you. Give me a bit of time, I'll organize something special tonight."

"No need," Serena quickly interjected, "I don't care about the formalities. I just want to settle down, be with someone I love. No matter how many great guys are out there, no matter what the world says or thinks, as long as we’re happy together for the rest of our lives, that's enough for me."

As she spoke, Serena's eyes sparkled with anticipation and sweetness, "I even want to have two kids with you, a boy and a girl."

Moved and elated, Martin watched her, "I'm glad you feel this way. Serena, you've changed, you love me even more."

"But," Serena hesitated again, "I'm afraid your family won't accept me. I don't want to cause you trouble."

Take the incident with Alma being mistakenly targeted. Beverly knew it was Martin who had her daughter roughed up but didn't dare make a move against him.

That was the advantage of marrying into the Cooper family!

With that thought, Serena hugged Martin's neck tighter, her smile beaming.

Elsewhere.

A blogger spilled the tea online, [Ladies, I'm shook! That Algernon who slandered Arabella for malpractice and leaked the video of the family crying has committed suicide this afternoon in his home! And there's this guy Channing who was pulling strings behind a movie company's VP, who tampered with a car, he jumped to his death too! Both were Martin’s men, and Martin is Serena’s boyfriend. Think of it!]