MY WEDDING

•••NO POV•••

Arabella's words shocked everyone in the room. Even Natalie, who usually stays over confident, flinched by the furiousness of Arabella, they were all used to the old Arabella, the one who never spoke up against them no matter how they treated her, but this Arabella, standing confidently before them, wasn't even hesitating to taunt or even threaten them.

Natalie’s outburst in anger making everyone to look curious to know who is speaking the truth, "You, don’t you dare accuse him as you like!"

Arabella looked confident while responding to Natalie's outburst, "Accuse him? Is that what you think I’m doing? Then, my dear sister, why don’t you go and talk to him yourself? Find out whether I’m accusing him or simply telling the truth, why don’t you give it a try? Everyone of us here will know the real truth."

Arabella’s confidence was no joke, each word she spoke is full of certainty, since she already knew exactly how the tables will turn out once the truth comes out.

Natalie remained silent, aware that someone as foolish as Joseph's rise to CEO isn't totally because of his talents, but she never expected it's entirely Arabella's talent who got him into that position, understanding it's not good to drag further, Natalie decided to stay calm because watching Arabella's confidence there's no way she can say Arabella is boasting.

Britney, trying to avoid conflict, intervened, "Bella, my dear you've been away for six long years and finally came back, is it really necessary to start an argument right away?"

Arabella's response was sharp enough to create an awkward atmosphere around Britney, "I didn't expect such a wonderful welcome full of suspicions, after six long years," she said, reminding them of how they had treated her with suspicions despite her explanation.

Her father, Neil, didn't waste a minute to scold her, "Bella, is this how you speak to your elders?"

But Olivia, Arabella's grandmother, intervened with a glare at her son, "First, you learn how to speak to your children properly, then teach them how to speak to their elders."

Neil, knowing he couldn't speak a word against Arabella in front of his mother, lowered his head with an apologetic look, "I'm sorry, Mother."

Olivia turned to Arabella, holding her hand with an apologetic look, "Bella, I'm sorry on their behalf, please don't take any of this to heart."

Arabella became emotional by hearing Olivia's apologies, "Grandmother, please don't apologize, it's not your fault, and I'm fine, I'm here just for you, I don't mind any of those words."

Olivia gently smiled at Arabella, as they began their meal, the silence was heavy with everyone busy with their own thoughts, Olivia finally broke the silence, asking Arabella, "Where are you planning to stay, dear?"

Rosaline, Arabella's mother, quickly responded, "She can't stay in our home anymore, not with what happened between her and Joseph, since Natalie and Joseph's wedding coming up, it's not proper for us to allow her staying in our house."

Arabella calmly placed her fork on the table and wiped her mouth with a napkin, "A place has already been arranged for me, Grandmother, I'll be staying there with my children and my assistant."

Minerva, trying to ease the tension, offered Arabella a glass of wine, "That's good to hear dear, if you didn't have a place, I was going to offer you accommodation at our house."

Arabella smiled at Minerva's words politely taking the glass of wine, "Thank you, Aunt, I appreciate your kindness."

By the behaviour of Minerva, Arabella couldn't help but remember her childhood memories, Minerva and her son had played vital roles during those difficult years of her, they had always remained silent observers, never intervening when she was bullied just because she is not a true family member. The most painful memory was of Minerva's harsh words to her son, words that had engraved into Arabella's memory and heart.

"People like her don’t deserve to be called family, she is just like a stray dog, brought in only to be abandoned again, don’t ever interact with someone like that, she is just a smelly useless rat who'll be tossed away sooner or later."

Though Arabella had been young, the pain she felt because of those words had stayed with her forever, now, seeing Minerva act as caring and kind, even offering her a place to stay when she is disgusted of Arabella in the past, all these filled Arabella with a bitter amusement.

It was laughable how people could change their words when someone they once looked down upon became valuable.

Once she was disgusted even by the sight of Arabella, but now she herself talking about accommodation made Arabella to laugh within herself, it is fascinating to see how quickly one's attitude changed when a person's worth was recognized.

Minerva reassured her with a smile, "We are family, dear, don't hesitate to approach me when you're in need of anything."

Arabella nodded, but thought to herself, "I know you see me just as a pawn in your schemes, but I'm not willing to be part of your internal wars" since Arabella knew very well about Minerva and others in that family, there's no way, she can down her guard.

As the lunch is completed, Arabella stood up gently informing, "I think it's time for me to leave, grandmother."

Olivia looked at Arabella with a hope while asking, "You’ll be staying in this city only, right?"

Arabella responded with a nod assuring her, "Yes, Grandmother, we will be here only, I'll make sure to share my address with you as soon as I reach home."

A warm smile appeared on Olivia's face knowing Arabella will not be leaving anywhere, "That’s wonderful, let’s make sure we meet again soon."

Arabella hummed agreeing with her, Olivia then shifted her attention to the children, calling them towards her, "I can’t wait to see you both again soon."

The kids rushed to hug their great-grandmother, "we will be looking forward to it too, great-grandmother!" She ruffled the kid's hair gently.

Just then, Natalie finally spoke up after shutting her mouth till the end of the luncheon, with a smirk as she looked at Arabella, "Why don’t we all meet up again soon? Perhaps at my wedding with Joseph?"