Chapter 1402


    Serena sat in silence, a storm of emotions brewing within her.


    "Serena?" Martin, noticing her reluctance to speak, simply opened the first-aid kit and began to tend to


    her wounds.


    As Serena watched his concerned and earnest expression, she couldn''t help but retract her foot. "You


    know now, I''m not the Collins heiress. Why are you still here? You can leave!"


    "Stay still," Martin said, gently pulling her foot back into ce and resuming his work.


    "I don''t deserve you, Mr. Martin, didn''t you hear me? Go away!"


    Martin paused in his ministrations and looked up, meeting the gaze of the girl perched on the swing


    chair.


    "Having second thoughts?"


    Serena was taken aback.


    "Did I disappoint you today? Is that it?"


    She averted her gaze, confused. Why did Martin always seem to wear his heart on his sleeve, his eyes


    betraying a wounded forbearance that made her feel unsettled?


    "I''m saying that I''m not the Collins heiress. It has nothing to do with how you acted today!"


    "So what?" Martin continued treating her wounds, more concerned about the small cut on her foot than


    N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.


    her lineage.


    Serena was surprised. Seeing Martin so focused on her insignificant injury, she couldn''t help but


    question, “Don''t you understand? I''m not a true Collins. I was switched at birth! My real background is


    probably very ordinary. I''m not good enough for you, Martin!"


    “It''s not for you or anyone else to decide who is worthy’ Martin said softly, all the while carefully


    applying medicine to her wounds. “If I say you are worthy, then you are. I like you, Serena, not your


    status."


    “But your family will never agree."


    Martin had not expected her to think so far ahead. He looked up, his voice gentle, "I''ll take care of my


    family."


    Serena was shocked. Even knowing her true birthright, Martin was surprisingly unfazed.


    She had thought that once he learned the truth, he would choose a well-matched heiress and break up


    with her.


    Just then, Martin''s phone rang.


    He finished treating thest bruise and picked up the call.


    “Martin, you''re such a jerk. Skipping Grandpa''s birthday for some drama queen!"


    Diana''s angry voice sted through the phone.


    “I''ll apologize to him when I get back,” Martin replied calmly.


    “What time is it now? By the time you get back, Grandpa will be asleep! Don''t forget how many eyes in


    the Cooper family are watching you! Grandpa doesn''t just have you for a grandkid! You not showing up


    tonight just gives those other rtives more to talk about. Mom''s livid!"


    Diana on the other end was fuming, disappointed and frustrated.


    “Martin, don''t think that just because your career is looking up, you can stand up to them! You know


    they''re tough cookies. You were Grandpa and Dad''s pride and joy, and tonight you let them both


    down!"


    "I''ll exin it to them tomorrow."


    “Exin what? That you went all out for a drama queen with a private venue, a sea of flowers, and then


    got chewed out in public?"


    "Were you there?" Martin was surprised.


    “If I hadn''t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn''t believe such behavior came from a Collins!"


    Such poor manners!


    Martin frowned slightly, not wanting Serena to overhear this, “We''ll talk when I get back."


    Diana couldn''t believe her brother hung up on her!


    It must be that drama queen''s influence!


    She couldn''t keep this to herself any longer. If she couldn''t handle her brother, it was time for their


    parents to step in.


    They couldn''t let Martin make another mistake!