Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown

Chapter 132

"Serena, you still haven't told me what on earth is going on here, have you?" Rock inquired.

Serena sighed, "Since you've already discovered my little secret, I suppose it's time I fill you in."

She briefly recounted the events of recent days, then looked at Rock with a hopeful expression. "You won't tell Aaron about me being here, will you?"

"Of course not," Rock replied without any hesitation.

Serena, feeling relieved, joked, "Well, if you did spill the beans to Aaron, you might snag a handsome reward."

Rock chuckled, "I'd consider it, but unfortunately, I don't have Mr. Vance's contact info."

Serena met Rock's gaze, and they both shared a knowing smile.

Just then, Joy appeared at the doorway, witnessing the exchange. It felt as if a knife twisted in her heart. In all the time she'd known Rock, she'd never seen him so genuinely happy.

Her eyes drifted to Serena, and a veil of mist seemed to cloud her vision.

exchanging a few more words with Rock, Serena returned to

now quiet, with only Shirley present. Joy was

"Where's Joy?" Serena asked.

said she was tired and went

Joy was just overwhelmed with her studies, she thought. Serena settled in beside

soft glow of the lamp, her features seemed flawless, and

night crawled by, fraught

Serena woke to find that Rock and Joy had

Town," Shirley explained. "They mentioned they might

nodded, acknowledging the

ten that night, there was still no sign of them. Shirley grew anxious. "What's going on? It's so late, and they're still not back.

phone to reassure Shirley. "Don't worry, Shirley. Let's go out and look for

Shirley agreed, and they set out, each

toward the beach and spotted

over. "Rock,

was taken aback. "I thought she