The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella) novel Chapter 2022

Florence's hand flew up in a fit of rage, and the entire platter of pastries crashed onto Serena's face.

The delicate treats tumbled down her collar, onto her lap, and scattered across the floor.

Gritting her teeth, Florence demanded, “I'm asking you one last time, are you moving out today or not?”

“Mrs. Cooper, you've got a heart condition; don't work yourself up. If you don't want me living here, I'll move out.” Serena responded with feigned concern, “But to leave Martin - that I simply cannot do. Even if you sent me to a countryside cottage, cut off from transport, living on bread and water, with no one to wait on me. I'd accept it all; just let me be with Martin.”

Florence was fuming, “Fine, you won't leave? Someone, throw her out!!”

The two housemaids were too terrified to show themselves.

“Dora? June??” Florence glanced around, astonished that they were defying her orders. She turned to the bitch before her, “You've got some nerve. You've been here a few days and you've already got my people on your side? Alright, today, I'll personally see you out!”

Florence stood up, and Serena, with tears streaming down her cheeks, clutched at her clothes and pleaded, “Mrs. Cooper, I know you dislike me. Why not hit me to vent your anger? Beat me once, ten times, twenty times, as long as you let me stay with Martin, I'll endure anything.”

“Serena, can you spare us the theatrics?” Diana stood up as well, moving to push her wheelchair.

Serena pressed her hands against the armrests and flung herself forward onto the ground, dropping to her knees before them.

“Mrs. Cooper, Ms. Cooper, Martin and I are truly in love, please bless us,” Serena even went as far as to bow her head to the ground.

“Mrs. Cooper, you might as well kill me; as long as I'm breathing, I won't leave Martin.”

Florence launched into a physical tirade, and Diana joined in without restraint, their fists and feet raining down.

“What are you doing?”

At that moment, Martin, having heard the commotion, rushed in. He pushed his mother and sister aside and tenderly helped the woman on the floor.

“Why are you wet? What happened to your clothes?” In a panic, Martin took off his suit jacket and draped it over Serena, noticing her shivering and disheveled appearance, his heart felt as if it was being ripped out, overcome with anguish.