Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown

Chapter 163

As Serena approached her front door, she was startled by the tall figure leaning against it.

"Aaron?!"

Even before she got closer, the strong scent of alcohol hit her like a wave.

But hadn't Aaron stayed mostly sober when they were at the lounge earlier? Could it be that he was drowning his sorrows because he hadn't managed to soothe Cynthia Lynwood?

"Could you step aside? I need to get in," Serena said, stopping a mere three feet from him.

Aaron lifted his gaze, his eyes unfocused. In the next moment, he pulled Serena into a tight embrace, his voice hoarse with a barely noticeable tremor. "Don't leave..."

Serena's heart skipped a beat.

"Aaron, you're drunk!"

"I'm not drunk," Aaron insisted, holding her tighter. He lowered his head, almost whispering like a chant, "Don't leave me... don't leave me..."

His warm breath tickled Serena's ear, sending shivers down her spine.

With significant effort, she finally managed to push him away.

"Aaron, stop this. I'm calling Cynthia Lynwood to come get you!" Serena announced, pulling out her phone.

before it

her phone aloft. Aaron, with his sharply defined features, was flushed unnaturally red. His deep-set eyes, usually so piercing, now seemed lost, like a vulnerable, bewildered

was hard not to feel

as though dealing with a child, hoping to rid herself of

promise..." Aaron's stance wavered as he gazed into her eyes with a pleading intensity,

Serena frowned.

wouldn't remember any of this once he sobered up, she couldn't bring herself to make such

me the

his shadow stretching long behind him. Though his proud head gradually lowered, he

felt as though her heart was

Breathing became difficult.

years she loved Aaron deeply, he

time Cynthia Lynwood called him, he answered

Serena was right there beside

her most

her

a deep breath and opened them again. "You should clear your head

her keys

for the phone, Aaron would

soon as she stepped inside, a shadow darted past her faster than she could