Chapter 367
Hans‘ confident tone brought a smile to Serena’s face, “I knew my big brother is the best!”
“Bella just returned home, and everyone is understandably worried about her feelings. This might make you think we’re treating you differently than before.”
“But let me tell you,” Hans said heartily, “In our parents‘ eyes and mine, including the other brothers, you’re still a part of this family and that has never changed.” Upon hearing this, Serena felt uneasy, sensing an undercurrent in his words. Did he come to her late at night to warn her about something?
“How have Mom and Dad been treating you these years?” Hans asked.
“Obviously great,” Serena answered without hesitation, “They’ve always told me that I’m their most precious treasure, and they’d give me the world if they could.” “And how about me? How have I treated you?”
“brother, you’ve always bought me anything that suits me. Some new styles that I couldn’t find. You managed to get them for me.”
“And our other brothers, how have they treated you?”
“They’re great too!” Serena was puzzled and decided to take the initiative, “Brother, why are you asking all these out of nowhere?”
“I want to tell you,” Hans said solemnly, “Bella has been lost for 18 years, and it’s been a struggle for her to come back home. Mom, Dad, and I want to make it up to her. It may seem to you that we’re favouring her over you; but what we’re giving her now is what you’ve had all these 18 years.”
So, this was about Arabella Bennett. That’s why he was having this chat with her so late at night. Serena felt a pang of annoyance.
“Did you ever think,” he continued, “That this is her home, too? She deserves to be here, to enjoy the life she was supposed to have. She’s our parents‘ biological daughter, and they should treat her well. As her brother, I should spoil and take care of her, especially after the hardships she’s experienced for the past 18 years. We should double our efforts to compensate her.”
“Big bro, you’re making it sound like I don’t welcome her home!” Serena was slightly jealous and seemed down, “Don’t get it twisted. I have no ill feelings towards her.”
“Whether you have ill feelings or not, and how much, I can tell,”
Hans looked at her and said meaningfully, “The reason I have this chat with you is to let you know that even if Bella is back, our love for you over these 18 years is not fake. You can still stay here, buy whatever you want, do whatever you want. No one will restrict you or treat you differently.”
Serena was sceptical. Things definitely felt different with her family.
“Bella holds no grudge against you. Sometimes she’s just putting up with your nonsense. You should be happy to have such a sister, Hans paused slightly before, continuing, “You should take my advice, put aside your prejudices, try to accept her, respect her. You’ll find your life is not worse off than before, but you’ll be happier.”
Happier? But whenever she saw her parents doting on Arabella and her brothers always siding with Arabella, she couldn’t help feeling incredibly jealous and irritated.
“This family was never yours, to begin with,” Hans said thoughtfully.
These words struck Serena like a bolt from the blue, startling her from her stupor.
“None of it belongs to you. Not the love and care from our parents and brothers, not the comfortable and elegant life, not the respect from the servants.
Serena was shocked into silence.
“You spent 18 years living Bella’s life because of a mistake initially. Bella accepted you because of our parents and brothers. You had the chance to be jealous of her, to hurt her. Have you ever thought about what would’ve happened if she insisted you leave this house from the beginning?”
Serena was stuck for a few seconds, frozen in time.
