The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella and Romeo) novel Chapter 1367

"No need to rush the clock!"

Serena pushed against the door, matching her strength against Arabella's, but it was clear she was no match. Arabella easily held her ground, her effortless stance a stark contrast to Serena's strained efforts to open the door.

"Do you really have to be like this?" Serena glared at Arabella, frustration evident in her voice. "I just want to talk to Grandpa. What are you so afraid of?"

"Afraid?" Arabella arched a perfectly sculpted eyebrow. "Shouldn't you be the one who's afraid?"

"What do I have to be afraid of?" Serena retorted, her voice tinged with defensiveness even as she tried to turn the tables. "You're just scared that Grandpa and I will bond, and he'll end up liking me more than you, right?"

Arabella couldn't help but laugh. "Do you think I'm afraid of that?"

Just then, a weary voice called from the room.

"Bella, what are you doing out there?"

Arabella raised her voice slightly, "Grandpa, Serena wants to see you. She says she has something to tell you."

"Just send her back. We'll talk tomorrow." Darren's voice sounded tired. "Come here to me, Bella."

Arabella shot Serena a look and closed the door.

Left standing outside the door, Serena was stunned. She hadn't expected that overnight, Grandpa would come to rely on Arabella even more.

He preferred Arabella's company over hers. She was his granddaughter of eighteen years!

Was it simply because Arabella shared his blood that he could erase all the affection he had shown Serena over those years?

Serena clenched her fists, convinced that Arabella must be playing foul!