Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown

Chapter 22

Seven stitches.

Aaron watched as Serena, pale-faced, sat silently on the hospital bed. He couldn't help but recall how she remained wordless while the doctor stitched her up.

He remembered the days when Bella, his little girl, would whimper and run to him for comfort at the smallest bump or bruise. When had she grown so resilient?

His heart felt heavy, burdened with a mixture of emotions.

He had initially thought Serena was upset with him for missing their appointment at the registry office.

But today, Serena seemed willing to hurt herself just to be away from him...

It was clear this time, she was truly angry.

"Serena..."

His phone rang in his pocket.

It was Matthew.

Matthew rarely called from his own phone, usually using Cynthia Lynwood's

instead. If he called from his own, it meant something urgent.

Serena, who sat lifelessly, and answered the

when can you come back? Cynthia's

donor soon, she... she

lying motionless like a puppet whose strings had been cut. She didn't even

immediately," Aaron

relief on the other

the call and moved to Serena's side. He took her hand, noting how cold it

some matters. I'll be back to get you as soon

Serena's eyelids fluttered slightly.

the glimmer

whenever he mentioned leaving to handle something, Serena

a heavy heart,

found herself smiling at

pain

her second dressing change, Serena winced

nurse chuckled, "You were so tough during your first dressing change, not a peep. I thought you might have been in the army. This is just a dressing change, less painful than stitches. Why are

but

the past, she would have made a fuss over every bump and scrape, wanting the whole world to

every time, Aaron would respond with, "You're an

stopped showing weakness in front

days later, Serena

pick her up, returning her ID along with