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,

back? Cynthia's condition is critical.

suitable donor soon, she... she

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

back to Alderburg immediately,"

on the other

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

to Alderburg to handle some matters. I'll be back to get you

Serena's eyelids fluttered slightly.

glimmer of joy

the past, whenever he mentioned leaving to

a heavy heart,

hand, found herself smiling at his

pain was

her second dressing change, Serena winced

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 you making such

smiled but didn't

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

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

stopped showing weakness in front

few days later,

to pick her up, returning her ID along with