Serena stood numbly in the dimly lit room, her mind a chaotic swirl of disbelief and betrayal. The Collins family, to whom she had
given her loyalty and love, had cut her off without a second thought upon discovering she was not their flesh and blood. It was
more than she could bear.
After what felt like an eternity, she managed to lift her gaze towards Martin and asked with a voice tinged with desperation, "Is
there anything else you're keeping from me? What else don't | know?"
Ever since she had woken up to this nightmare, it had been one shocking revelation after another. She felt like she was living in a
bad dream, her reality crumbling around her.
Martin hesitated, knowing the fragility of Serena's state. Finally, he locked eyes with her and confessed, "There is one more thing.
Do you remember when you thought Alma had you beaten up, shoved into a sack? Well, | had someone take care of her in return,
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtbut her wounds healed, and her mother's been digging around. She confrontedrecently."
"Beverly cafter you? Does she know you did it?" Serena couldn't imagine how Beverly, despite her cunning, had managed to
trace it back to Martin so quickly.
"Not exactly," he replied. "She just toldit wasn't Aima who had you beaten up. We got the wrong person."
Serena scoffed in disbelief. Who else could despise her enough to do such a thing?
After a moment, Martin added gravely, "She claimed it was Romeo who ordered it."
The room spun as Serena tried to process what she'd just heard. It couldn't be true.
"She said there's proof, it was Romeo," Martin continued, watching her closely, concerned she might crumble under the weight of
this revelation. She had loved Romeo so passionately.
"No, it can't be." Serena shook her head, refusing to accept it. How could Romeo, who she had adored, be behind such a cruel act?
"That night, you upset Arabella, and Romeo wanted revenge for her. It's not surprising."
Martin recalled the incident, knowing that even with his influence, he couldn't touch Romeo. Besides, Serena had been in the
wrong.
"Is it really him?" Serena's hands, like heavy paws, clung to Martin as she sought a sliver of hope, "Is the evidence real?"
Martin nodded solemnly, confirming her worst fears.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm
Serena's hands fell limp by her side, the harsh truth sinking in. Romeo's disdain for her ran so deep.
She had once thought it was Arabella who kept Romeo at arm's length, but now she understood the bitter truth. It was her own
presence that he detested.
"Given the past ties between the Collins and the McMillian families, Romeo never confronted you openly. But things are different
now. You've severed ties with the Collins. We need to keep a low profile and focus on healing. Let the past go," Martin advised
gently, guiding her away from the room that symbolized her pain.
As he locked the door behind them, he added, "I'm locking away your past. From now on, you must look forward."
Tears streamed down Serena's cheeks, her emotions indescribable.
At Reflections Villa, Arabella had brought joy to her brothers and the staff the evening before, distributing skincare products and
ointments like treasures. Their gratitude and happiness were a stark contrast to Serena's heartache.