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

two can have a seat," the stall owner replied,

after four years, she remembered every detail, right down to

Adam's apple bobbing slightly. "You know, we could be like we were at the beginning,"

silent treatments. Just

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

life doesn't come with

soon. We can go back to how things

were. Panic clenched his heart, and he held her hands

Serena's heart wavered.

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

rang. It was the ringtone he had set specifically for Cynthia

believing Aaron's

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

grave. "I'm on my way," he said, turning to