Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown

Chapter 172

Today, Serena was a vision transformed. She had put on makeup with particular care, and the result was enchanting, like a fairy stepping out of a woodland realm.

Her long, carefully curled hair cascaded like a waterfall, and her exquisite and alluring makeup rendered her as radiant and regal as a blooming flower.

Samuel was momentarily struck speechless, staring at her in awe until he finally gathered his wits. "Let me get the car door for you."

"No need, I can manage," Serena said, opening the door herself and sliding into the seat.

Samuel was still lingering in the afterglow of her beauty, his heart pounding wildly. He knew Serena was beautiful, but today she was breathtakingly so.

The thrill of seeing her like this was quickly followed by a stark reminder of reality. Though he'd made a decent living since graduation, his achievements paled in comparison to Aaron's.

"Samuel?" Serena's puzzled voice drew him out of his reverie. "Why aren't we moving?"

Snapping back to the present, Samuel replied, "Oh, right. Let's pick up Joy from school first."

"Okay."

school, and Joy, who had dressed up rather nicely herself, joined them. But

smile. "Serena, I have a gift for you.

lipstick. Serena glanced at Samuel, noting the hopeful look in his eyes, and then put it away with a

then headed to

city center, where the average meal cost a little over a hundred dollars-a significant expense

Samuel settled into his seat, his mind drifted back to college, to the day Serena first introduced Aaron

"You usually eat here?"

had also been at a hundred-dollar restaurant-a meal Samuel

daydreaming?

looked at Serena, but

they didn't know was that just across the street, Aaron sat in his Rolls- Royce, staring intently in the direction of

Cynthia Lynwood followed Aaron's gaze and

Serena and Samuel. Her eyes lit up with a

Lewis? They look so happy

let out a soft, derisive

someone you love is happiness,