Moving next door was like a punishment for her, and she understood that all too well.
Once the doted-upon princess of the household, now she had fallen to the status of a mere "guest".
The drastic change wasn't just about her own standing; it symbolized a demotion in her parents’ hearts, from daughter to outsider
in a heartbeat.
Louisa scoffed, "You still don't get it, do you? Still thinking Bella's been smearing your nbehind your back? Lettell you, she
hasn't said a word. We just put two and two together. For the past six months, you've been playing us for fools, honey-tongued to
our faces while stabbing us in the back. We're utterly disappointed in you."
"Mom???" Serena couldn't believe they knew. If Arabella hadn't spilled the beans, then how did they figure it out? Had they been
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtsuspicious of her all along, their trust eroding over time?
"After Bella returned to our home, your dad and | sat you down a few times, hoping you'd understand. We felt guilty about Bella,
wanting to make it up to her. But we never shortchanged you. Your life remained unchanged. All these years, emotionally and
financially, you've gained so much from being part of the Collins family, and we've never treated you unfairly."
Louisa's icy gaze fell on her, "But what did you do? You abused our trust, misled us, bullied Bella. You need to go next door and
reflect on your actions."
"Mom, letexplain," Serena tried, but Louisa clearly wasn't interested in listening.
"I had hoped you two could be good siblings, or at least live under the sroof with mutual respect. You didn’t have parents or
people to rely on, and we were willing to take you in, treat you as our own flesh and blood. We had discussed, and we planned for
your future, your wedding gift - it would be only more. But you're still not satisfied! What has Bella done wrong? She's simply
returned to the hshe should have never left. She's eighteen years late, and during those years, you've been living lavish in her
stead, yet you can't bear to share. Your dad and | have reflected; perhaps it was Martha who led you astray. Talking more now is
pointless. Go next door and think things through. And if we learn that you haven't changed, that you dare disrespect Bella again,
then Collins will no longer be your surname."
"Mom???" Serena was in disbelief at what she was hearing.
"Drive." Louisa rolled up the window.
"Mom? Mom." Serena, struck by the gravity of the moment, instinctively chased after the car, "Mom, don't go. Letexplain.
Don't sendto the next house. I'll apologize to my sister; please, just giveanother chance, Mom."
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm
Already injured, she chased until her ankle twisted, and she fell to the ground in utter disarray.
Watching the custom Rolls-Royce drive away, Serena cried out, "Mom." But the car didn't stop. Instead, it turned a corner and
vanished from her sight.
How could things have cto this? Why?
She had played her tricks before, badmouthed Arabella in social circles, but those whispers never reached her parents’ ears.
Whenever they seemed suspicious, her tears would cover it all up.
Why was it so serious this time? They were actually resolute about moving her to the next house.
What would the household staff think?
"Next door" might sound close, but the distance to the main building was quite a stretch, a good five-minute walk away. Her
parents were actually going to banish her there, alone.