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

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

suitable donor soon, she... she won't have much time

phone tightly, Aaron looked over at Serena, lying motionless like a puppet whose strings had been cut. She didn't

back to Alderburg immediately," Aaron replied, his

sighed in relief on

noting

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

Serena's eyelids fluttered slightly.

glimmer of joy in her eyes,

leaving to handle something, Serena would

a heavy heart, Aaron

hand, found herself smiling at

pain

her second dressing change, Serena winced and

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 you

smiled but didn't

over every bump and scrape,

respond with, "You're an adult now. Can't you be a bit

showing weakness in

days later, Serena

came to pick her up, returning her ID