The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella and Romeo) novel Chapter 15

"Jaime, you're a lifesaver for running this errand today." Louisa thanked him and then turned to Erik, "Please make sure he's well taken care of."

"Sure thing, Mr. Jaime, follow me please." Erik said.

Jaime knew that the family had some serious talking to do. After exchanging pleasantries with Arabella, he left with Erik.

"Let's sit down and talk." Louisa held Arabella's hand and gestured for Serena to sit. Serena felt as if a dagger was plunged into her heart watching this scene.

"Serena, let me introduce you again. This is Arabella Collins, our biological daughter who was left behind." Louisa said

Serena was speechless. She had always thought this girl was a distant relative, here to borrow money. She couldn't believe that she was her parents' biological child. No wonder they were so nice to her!

"Here's the story. Years ago, Kenneth and I were passing through a small town when I went into labor. The nearest hospital was our only option." Louisa recalled the incident, "The hospital we found was out of private rooms. They temporarily put me in a ward with two other pregnant women. In the middle of the night, a fire broke out in the hospital. Due to heavy smoke, we couldn't see where we were going. In the chaos, I picked up a baby, thinking it was Bella. But in reality, you were another woman's child, not mine and Kenneth's. I picked up the wrong baby."

The words shattered Serena's last defense. She couldn't believe that she had no blood ties with the Collins family!!

"Bella was taken by the Murphy family, and the Murphy's baby was taken home by a janitor. And you, ended up with us, the Collins. If I hadn't come across a post online about a family searching for their lost child, we would still be in the dark about the mix-up!" Louisa said.

Serena was left speechless.

"As for your birth mother." Louisa paused, then decided to tell the truth, "We had someone look into it. She bled out after giving birth and was too weak to escape the fire that night."

What??? Her biological mother had died the night she was born?

Serena's face turned pale. She couldn't believe what was happening.

"Your birth father is nowhere to be found." Louisa said, then looked at Arabella and said softly, "We've talked to Bella. We plan to let you stay in this family. From now on, she's your sister. We owe Bella a lot and we'll do our best to make it up to her. Although you're not our biological child, we've always treated you as one. You and your sister need to get along well, take care of her, and be there for her, okay?"

Hearing her parents' favoritism, Serena couldn't accept it! Since when did the younger sister look after the older sister?

For years, she had been proud of her background because her father was one of the richest men in the country, her mother was a famous beauty, and her five brothers were all successful in their fields.

From childhood, everyone had always given way to her, appeased her and tried to please her. How could she give way to others, appease and try to please others?

Although she was very reluctant, at this moment, Serena, weighing the pros and cons, said without hesitation, "This is all very sudden for me, I won't lie and say I'm not heartbroken. I've lived in this family for eighteen years. Then one day, my beloved parents tell me that I'm not their biological child."