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.

unlocked it before it was

phone aloft. Aaron, with his sharply defined features, was flushed unnaturally red. His

to feel a pang of

though dealing with a child,

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

Serena frowned.

once he sobered up,

give me the

behind him. Though his proud head gradually lowered, he

though her heart

Breathing became difficult.

all the years she loved Aaron deeply, he never wasted any effort deceiving

called him, he

Serena was

her most vulnerable

when she put aside her pride and begged him to

and opened them again. "You should clear

keys and

Aaron would

as she stepped inside, a shadow