Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown

Chapter 8

During this time, she had stopped fighting with Aaron about Cynthia Lynwood. This realization struck Aaron like a blow to the heart.

"Serena, Cynthia returned because..."

"That's where we had our first date." Serena interrupted, stepping out of the car. She had no desire to hear Cynthia Lynwood's name.

Aaron followed her out.

Serena stood in front of a food stall selling fried cheese curds.

As the heir to the Vance family, the wealthiest in Alderburg, Aaron was usually shielded from such everyday delights.

But Serena loved dragging Aaron into the hidden corners of the city to sample street food.

This particular stall was the first place she had introduced him to the joys of street food. She still remembered the way Aaron had scrunched up his nose when the fried cheese curds were served, his expression as if he'd just encountered a peculiar alien dish.

cheese curds, please," Serena called out, snapping back

two can have a seat," the stall owner replied, momentarily distracted by

had occupied years ago. Even after four years, she remembered every detail, right down to

Serena meticulously cleaned the disposable fork with a disinfectant wipe. He swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly. "You

arguments. No silent

into a mocking smile. "Maybe we could, if I didn't know about Cynthia

life doesn't

situation will be resolved soon. We can go back to how things

then did he notice how cold her hands were. Panic clenched his heart, and he held her hands

Serena's heart wavered.

"No chance. Tonight, I'm..."

could finish, Aaron's phone rang. It was the ringtone he had

for almost believing Aaron's empty promises, thinking they

instead of Cynthia, it was her doctor, Matthew Grayson. "Aaron, you need to get to the hospital. Cynthia's had a heart attack; she needs

my way," he said,