Babel Novel
Chapter 259: Serena, I Was Wrong
After Hayden and Nathan Lehman left, Tina and Jared also went upstairs. The mood among the Reed family was somber tonight, each retreating to their rooms early to rest. Arthur Woodwind, humming a tune, leisurely made his way to his own room on the second floor. Having just witnessed the spectacle between Liliosa Reed and Mack Emerson, he felt quite pleased. His aunt and cousin, who usually dominated at home, had long been a thorn in his side. The family, being relatives and considering Liliosa’s unfortunate loss of her daughter, had always tolerated their arrogance. Today’s outcome, he thought, was well-deserved! That Serena had spared Mack Emerson’s life meant they should be extremely grateful.
As Arthur thought of Tina, a shiver ran through him, and he quickened his pace to his room. He knew he needed to be cautious, the further from that person, the better. He swiftly pushed open the door, eager to hide inside. To his surprise, he found Tina sitting on the sofa, casually playing with her phone, looking as if she were in her own room. Arthur Woodwind, “… Is it too late to run now?”
Tina looked up, giving Arthur a fleeting glance, her tone indifferent, “Back already?” With a thud, Arthur Woodwind promptly knelt in front of the sofa, clutching Tina’s legs, begging for mercy, “Serena, I was wrong, please forgive me!” Tears and snot flowed as he pleaded pitifully.
Tina, disgusted, kicked him away, brushing off her clothes, and looked at Arthur Woodwind, “What did you do wrong?”
“I shouldn’t have run away,” Arthur confessed mournfully. Years ago, he had been sent by the Woodwind family to study under Master Tam. His talents were recognized, and he was accepted as a disciple. Initially thrilled, his dream to learn martial arts was not what he had imagined. At first, he scoffed at Tina’s methods, only to realize later that she was no ordinary person-she was a demon! The training was more brutal than any military drama on TV.
“And what else?” Tina’s voice was calm, but it sent a chill down Arthur’s spine.
“Also, I shouldn’t have disobeyed Serena. Every beating, every scolding was for my own good, and I was foolish not to see it,” Arthur continued, his body trembling as he remembered the harsh lessons on the mountain-he truly didn’t want to experience that again.
“Since you left the master’s school, you no longer have the right to call me Serena.”NôvelDrama.Org owns © this.
Arthur’s heart leapt at Tina’s words-perhaps she no longer had authority over him. But then he realized how naive this thought was. “But that doesn’t mean your mistakes are forgiven.” As soon as she spoke, Arthur felt an immense pressure overhead, the memories of past beatings flooding his mind. “I was wrong, Serena, spare my life, I was truly wrong!” He clutched at Tina’s legs again, refusing to let go.
Suddenly, footsteps passed by the open door. Tina kicked Arthur Woodwind once more. Audrey Woodwind, passing by the door, paused. She glanced inside and thought she saw her brother kneeling before Tina-impossible! Was she seeing things?
Audrey Woodwind stepped back for a closer look. In the room, Tina was indeed sitting on the sofa, but Arthur Woodwind was standing properly in front of her. Relieved, she had been mistaken. But why was Tina in her brother’s room? They had only met today and weren’t close.
Curious, Audrey stepped inside and asked, “Tina, what are you doing in my brother’s room?”
Tina gave Arthur a look that said it was his problem now. Arthur quickly took over, “I brought a gift for Se… for Tina, asked her to come and pick it up.”
“A gift? Do I have one too?” Audrey’s eyes lit up.
“You don’t,” replied Arthur bluntly.
Disappointed, Audrey’s face fell. She was genuinely happy when Tina, a formidable and unpretentious person, was recognized as Jasper’s real daughter, much better than Amber. Since Tina’s arrival, everyone in the Reed family, including her grandmother and grandfather, had supported Tina, even giving her the only family bracelet.
Now, even her own brother had brought a gift specifically for Tina, and she, his sister, had none. Annoyed, Audrey left Arthur’s room in a huff, unaware of her brother wiping his forehead in relief, having managed to deceive her.
But with Serena… Arthur looked nervously at Tina, having begged so shamelessly, unsure if Serena would spare his life. Tina’s expression was unreadable as she extended her hand towards him. Arthur Woodwind, “?” Impatiently, Tina asked, “Where’s the gift?”
Arthur froze. If he admitted to having no gift, would he be doomed? In a moment of desperation, he swiftly pulled something from his suitcase and handed it to Tina.