Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown

Chapter 15

As Serena's eyes welled up with tears, Aaron felt an inexplicable irritation. More than that, there was a sense of panic, as if something precious was slipping away.

"If not for me, then for home? But haven't you already cut ties with that place?" he asked, his voice tinged with frustration.

Serena was momentarily taken aback. "How do you know?"

She had moved to Alderburg to sever all connections with her past, especially with Penelope. It was a decision she had kept to herself. How could Aaron possibly know?

"For seven years, you've been in Alderburg and never once returned. Isn't that enough to figure it out?" Aaron pointed out, his tone matter-of-fact.

The flicker of hope in Serena's eyes was swiftly extinguished. Of course. She shouldn't have expected anything different from Aaron. Thankfully, she had distanced herself emotionally, no longer feeling the heart-wrenching pain of the past.

Her gaze drifted down to her wrist, which was still firmly held by Aaron. "Let go," she said quietly, but with unwavering determination.

He disliked this prickly version of Serena. He missed the gentle, unguarded Serena of the

getting the marriage license was a mistake, but don't you think you're overreacting?" he said, trying to reason with

her strength, she finally

to be filled with confusion. Was she

Victor's

"Serena is

...

was already three in the morning. The thought of no longer having to tiptoe around Aaron brought a spring to her step as she

presence, sitting on the sofa,

she hadn't made a mistake, then said coldly, "This

Aaron's voice was as icy as ever, devoid of warmth. "I'll come back whenever I please. Who are you to

to sort things out, not to fight. I know skipping out on the wedding was wrong, and whatever compensation you

face