Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown

Chapter 201

The Next Morning

Outside Rosewood Gardens.

Serena sat in her car, eyes fixed on Aaron Vance, who was already waiting by the gated entrance. A smirk tugged at the corner of her lips-equal parts bitter and amused.

Aaron was nothing if not punctual. But the idea of making him wait? Impossible. The only person who could ever make Aaron set aside his pride was Cynthia Lynwood.

Aaron always insisted he didn't love Cynthia. But Serena knew better-he was simply blind to his own feelings.

She pulled her car up in front of him. A moment later, Aaron slid into the passenger seat. The faint scent of mint that always clung to him swept through the car, instantly drowning out the perfume Serena wore.

Annoyed, Serena frowned and started the engine before Aaron even had his seatbelt on.

"Now," Aaron said, his deep, velvety voice filling the space, "are you finally going to tell me where that doctor is?"

Serena kept her eyes on the road. "Not yet."

Aaron's brows drew together. "You're just "

His gaze landed on Serena's reddened eyes, and for a split second, something sharp twisted in his chest.

Sam,

to me right now.

but her hands trembled faintly

thermos on the

She was scared.

Lewis. It wasn't unreasonable-she knew that.

one left behind. Penelope

only for her,

she'd been

voice, sharp and urgent,

hands seized the steering wheel. "Hit

jolted back to reality-she'd just run

The car screeched, shuddered, and finally lurched to

heart pounding

voice was icy, his words clipped with anger. "Are

the frustration Serena had bottled up since last night finally broke loose. She spun to glare at him, eyes blazing. "Yes!

flashed. "You hate me that

for you, I wouldn't be like this!" The words spilled out, raw and trembling. "I wouldn't have had to learn that I'm nothing but a miserable nobody. Someone nobody could

his anger still burning. "All

the door and slammed it