The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella and Romeo) novel Chapter 1893

Back then, Serena worried he wouldn't grasp the features of his new smartphone because of his age, so she took the time to explain it to him.

Serena never imagined that in the blink of an eye, he'd have been using that phone for three whole years!

And even less did she expect that all that left for her would be this phone.

He was gone!

Serena didn't turn the phone on right away. Instead, she held it with both hands, staring at the screen saver—a birthday photo of her and her dad. Tears involuntarily streamed down her cheeks.

"When I went to the Collins family to get you, they refused to hand you over." Martin could only explain the situation back then and then said, "Anyway, you'll understand after you see it."

Serena cried for quite a while, her heart aching until she could hold her emotions no longer. She then shakily entered the password and unlocked the phone.

While she scrolled through the phone, Martin sat beside her, not looking at the contents, just silently there for her, occasionally wiping away her tears.

In truth, when he'd first opened the phone, he had only looked for Arabella's number, not bothering with anything else.

So he had no idea what else was in there.

Serena alternated between crying, laughing, and being utterly devastated.

Her emotions were like a roller coaster, peaking high and then plummeting down.

Finally, after reading the first pinned memo her father had left for her, Serena understood what had happened.

Her voice hoarse, she said, "He was coerced, had no choice but to take poison. Before you brought him to the Collins family, he had already ingested it. Even in his final moments, he wanted to use the little life he had left to trade for mine."

Serena broke down again at this point.

It seemed her father had been entangled in something very complex and frightening.

It was quite possible that even he was outmatched.

"Did your dad leave any tasks for us to carry out?" Martin asked gently.

Like funeral arrangements or some unresolved matter?

"He asked me to stay by your side." Serena looked up at Martin as she said this.

Martin gazed at the girl in his arms and hugged her tighter, affirming, "I promised your dad I would take good care of you, to ensure you live a healthy, happy, and safe life."

Serena knew that at this moment, this man was all she had to rely on.