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.

glanced at Serena, who sat lifelessly, and answered the

can you come back? Cynthia's condition is critical. If we

a suitable donor soon, she...

his phone tightly, Aaron looked over at Serena, lying motionless like a puppet whose strings had been cut. She

to Alderburg immediately," Aaron replied, his voice

on the other

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

to return to Alderburg to handle some matters. I'll be back to get you as soon as I'm

Serena's eyelids fluttered slightly.

but Aaron caught the glimmer

past, whenever he mentioned leaving to handle something,

a heavy heart,

on the other hand, found herself smiling

the pain

Serena winced and grimaced

your first dressing change, not a peep. I thought you might have been in the army. This is

smiled but

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

respond with, "You're an adult now. Can't

weakness

days later, Serena was

pick her up, returning