Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown

Chapter 173

In the dimly lit restaurant, the three of them had placed their orders, and then silence descended again. The atmosphere suddenly turned chilly.

Joy glanced across the table at Serena and Samuel, reminding herself of the true reason for their outing today.

"Hey, big brother, Serena," she began casually, "next week is the anniversary celebration for Alderburg University. Are you both planning to go back to your alma mater?"

Samuel looked surprised. "Next week is the anniversary celebration?"

"Yes, didn't you know, big brother? Serena, you didn't know either?" Joy asked, a hint of surprise in her voice.

Serena nodded in response.

Alderburg University held some of her most cherished memories, as well as her most painful ones. She had only returned once since graduation that day she intended to finally say goodbye to Aaron.

go back," Joy suggested, "it would be a

turned to look at Serena, and seeing her shake her

as she lowered her head,

be giving a speech as the

taken aback. "Oh,

Serena. "Serena, you should go too. You've been cooped up at home for too long; it'd

instinctively wanted to refuse, but realizing she wanted to give Samuel a chance, she nodded, agreeing it was an opportunity

face lit up with a smile as she linked arms with

After dinner, Samuel dropped Joy off at her university before taking Serena home. On the drive, neither of them spoke. Samuel struggled to find a topic. Serena, to him, was like the moon in the sky. He had always admired

moon disappear, which made him even more cautious. The more careful he was, the harder it became to find something to say,

"the division of