The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella) novel Chapter 2103

Martin was unnervingly calm.

Fitch, who used to pace restlessly at the slightest downturn in Diana's health, was now a portrait of stillness. Beside him, the young nurse rubbed her eyes in disbelief. They both remained eerily composed.

Serena peered at the nurse holding the notice of critical condition. She remembered the doctor's words, Martin's mother wouldn't last more than two hours.

Yet, even with the gravity of the situation hanging over her, Serena couldn't bring herself to hand over her phone. A shadow crossed her eyes, and it seemed clear she wouldn't offer her help.

Martin, his heart sinking, saw it all. Disappointed was an understatement - to think that at a time like this, Serena could be so cold.

Even a pretense of concern would have spared him this feeling of utter letdown.

After the nurse left, Serena wheeled forward again, trying to reach for Martin's hand. "Martin, give me another chance. I can't live without you." Her tears began to fall. "Didn't we promise each other? To stay together forever, never to part."

But the word "forever" had never sounded so repulsive to Martin. "What you can't live without are the fame and the high life! Not me."

"Martin." Serena sobbed, "How can you say that. You mean so much to me."

"Are you still acting, even now? Serena, this is murder." Martin was livid. "You expect me to forgive someone who intended to kill my mother? My sister? To live out the rest of my days as if nothing happened?"

"I was just so angry. They humiliated me, belittled me. If they had been nicer from the start, I wouldn't have thought that way. It's their fault." Serena blurted without thinking, then quickly clamped her mouth shut.