Chapter 1948


    On the other side of town, Dora and June had just helped Serena out of the bath. They dressed her in


    Looking at her reflection, Serena''s eyes traced the swollen redness of her cheeks, a harsh reminder of


    the recent confrontations. Memories of Eunice dousing her with iced tea, Louisa''s stinging p, and


    Sean having someone do the same flooded back to her. Just thinking about it made her ears buzz with


    pain, and a wave of sadness washed over her.


    "Serena, let me take care of your skin," Dora offered with a smile, picking up a bottle of toner. "These


    skincare products were personally picked out by Mr. Cooper himself. I recognize this brand—it''s top of


    the line."


    "Serena, you are really lucky," June chimed in softly as she brushed Serena’s hair. "Mr. Cooper treats


    you so well."


    Serena''s eyesnded on the skincare brand''s logo, her voice empty as she said, "Actually, the best


    brand is UO. It''s not sold in stores. Only a select few can get their hands on it. I''ve used it before. It was


    quite good."


    Dora was taken aback, feeling a bit out of the loop. All this time she thought Martin had bought the best


    and most expensive, not realizing Serena had experienced even better.


    Serena''s gaze drifted to the clock on the wall; it was almost midnight, and Martin still hadn''t returned.


    Since Martin had been called away by a family phone call, she had been eating lunch and dinner alone.


    The usually bustling New Year was eerily quiet as if the whole world had left her behind.


    All day long, not a single message or call from Martin.


    She knew he cared for her, and it wasn''t like him to leave her hanging. It had to be the pressure from


    the Cooper family.


    Noticing the dimness in Serena''s eyes, Dora suggested with understanding, "Mr. Cooper must be tied


    up with something. But look, it''s almost midnight. Why don''t we stay up with you and ring in the New


    Year?"


    The mention of staying up brought back memories for Serena. Back when the Collins family would


    gather together,ughing and chatting, waiting until after 12 AM to sleep. The tworge lights outside


    the vi had to stay lit all night, symbolizing the ''New Year''s Fire''—the belief that as long as the fire


    didn''t go out, the family''s good fortune would continue.


    How warm and beautiful those times were.


    This year, rk had posted a photo on Facebook: fifteen hands reaching for a dish.


    All sleeves were a festive red, signaling they were wearing matching family outfits.


    In past years, she would have joined Keh and Louisa in wearing coordinated clothes for the photo


    op, showcasing their wealth and status with glimpses of luxurious home decor, famous paintings on the


    walls,vish gifts, money, and even the number of servants—all subtly included in the shot.


    But this year, she was dependent on the kindness of others, alone and cold, while the Collins family


    wasvishing Arabe with a memorable New Year in matching outfits.


    Even her brothers were part of it.


    How could she not be envious? The Collins family seemed to favor Arabe so much more.


    "Serena, besides staying up, we can do something else with you. Is there anything specific you want to


    do?" June asked gently.


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    "There is something I can''t do it now," Serena''s voice faded. "I want to pay tribute to my parents, but


    my mother''s remains are lost, and I''ve never seen my father''s body."


    "Actually, your parents have a memorial set up in the house. Mr. Cooper had a master set it up for


    them." Dora revealed softly, hoping to offer somefort on this lonely New Year.