Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown

Chapter 219

The very next moment-

When Serena saw it was Gabrielle, she let out a long sigh of relief.

She opened the door. "What are you doing here?"

Gabrielle's tense expression eased a little. "You were in your car for ages. I was starting to think something had happened to you."

"It's your fault," Serena muttered, rubbing her temples. "Why are you following me?"

Gabrielle threw up her hands, feigning innocence. "Hey, I wasn't following you! I just happened to be leaving the hotel and saw your car, so I pulled over to say hi..."

She yawned, looking like she hadn't slept a wink.

Serena eyed her. "Rough night?"

"Well, of course—" Gabrielle's lips curled into a sly grin. But when she saw Serena's cool, indifferent face, her interest was piqued. Slipping an arm around Serena's shoulders, she teased, "Last time, I brought a whole crowd of male models and you didn't even blink. Tonight, I'm taking you somewhere new. The men there-mmm, trust me."

Serena wasn't having any of it. "Forget it. I've got work tonight."

"Work will always be there, but men like these? Their prime is over before you know it. Today they're in full bloom, but tomorrow, who knows? So it's settled-I'll pick you up tonight."

her car. "I need a nap

shook her

be told, she hadn't always been this

her father passed

middle school, Gabrielle had become her desk

a chatterbox-louder than a flock of magpies

Serena only replied out of politeness, unable to withstand the

it, she

more outgoing, more open-sunshine where there had only

moved abroad and they lost touch, Serena had already changed. She'd become lively and

she met Aaron, she believed that if she was warm and bright enough,

people's hearts

the rest of her day buried in work at the

afternoon, just as promised, Gabrielle

car, honked the horn, and

babe,

The people nearby stared at

Gabrielle would cause an even bigger scene,