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

a seat," the stall owner

settled into the same spot she had occupied years ago. Even after four years, she remembered every detail, right down to

as Serena meticulously cleaned the disposable fork with a disinfectant wipe. He swallowed, his Adam's

No silent treatments. Just

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

life doesn't come with

can go back to how things were!” Aaron insisted, clasping

his heart,

Serena's heart wavered.

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

she could finish, Aaron's phone rang. It was the

laughed softly at herself for almost believing Aaron's empty promises, thinking they

had already answered the call. But 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

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