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.

back to the present. Just like old times,

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

Even after four years, she remembered every detail, right down to the way the forks

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

arguments. No silent treatments.

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

doesn't come with

go back to how things were!” Aaron

Panic clenched his heart,

Serena's heart wavered.

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

rang. It was the ringtone he

herself for almost believing Aaron's empty promises, thinking they could rewind

instead of Cynthia, it was her doctor, Matthew Grayson. "Aaron,

"I'm on my way," he said,