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,

coldly. "Please, Mr. Vance, don't talk to me right

on the street ahead, but her hands trembled faintly on

the kitchen table,

She was scared.

Lewis would choose Joy Lewis. It wasn't unreasonable-she knew that. But

she'd always been the one left behind. Penelope had done it.

now, after finally finding someone who seemed to care only for her, she'd dared to hope. Just this once, maybe she wouldn't

been too

sharp and urgent, yanked her out of her

pair of strong hands seized the steering wheel. "Hit the

jolted back to reality-she'd just run

brakes. The car screeched, shuddered, and finally lurched to

her heart pounding

was icy, his words clipped with anger. "Are you trying to get yourself

bottled up since last night finally broke loose. She spun to glare

flashed. "You

spilled out, raw and trembling. "I wouldn't have had to learn that I'm nothing but a miserable

clenched, his anger still burning. "All this—for

door and