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.

it was snatched from

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

to feel a pang

phone," Serena coaxed, trying to sound patient, as though dealing with a child, hoping

Aaron's stance wavered as he gazed into her eyes with a pleading intensity, "Promise you'll never leave

Serena frowned.

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

me

his proud head gradually lowered, he seemed like a

her

Breathing became difficult.

all the years she loved Aaron deeply,

Cynthia Lynwood called him,

when Serena was

her

she put aside her pride and

deep breath and opened them again.

retrieved her keys and opened the

would return it once he sobered

soon as she stepped inside, a shadow darted past