Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown

Chapter 228

Serena blinked in surprise. "Wait-you two know each other?"

A flicker of embarrassment crossed Gabrielle's face. She glanced out the window, struggling to find the right words to tell Serena that she was, at this very moment, in Alderburg.

Ever since Gabrielle found out that Serena had been pining after Aaron for seven years, she'd always wondered just how much Serena had suffered. Sure, the internet made keeping in touch easier, but Northspire and Alderburg were two different cities, and not every piece of gossip traveled that far.

So, Gabrielle took matters into her own hands-she hopped on a train to Alderburg herself, determined to get answers. She tracked down Aaron's best friend, Frederick, and did her best to coax information out of him without raising suspicion.

But after hearing Frederick's side of the story, Gabrielle was so furious she ended up trashing his bar. That was how Frederick found out she was Serena's friend. For the sake of dealing with the damages, they exchanged contacts.

The next day, completely out of the blue, Frederick sent her a screenshot from Aaron's social media. No explanation, no greeting-just the image, dropped like a bomb.

Seriously, what was wrong with him?

choice, Gabrielle reached out to Serena

gone. Listen, when I get back, I'll make my mom introduce

couldn't help but rub her forehead. Gabrielle's approach to love was every bit as dramatic as Frederick's. But

sure how to convince Gabrielle that she'd truly moved on. So she simply replied, "Thanks. I've got something to take care of

"Okay, okay."

to the front door, and picked up the notice slipped

Aaron was out of the picture? Those heirlooms were more precious than life itself to her dad. Even when things were

deep breath,

her father could keep

out there who could match him—maybe even surpass him. Even if she had to give up a

laptop and

at the city lights, but

unlocked it. New notifications poured in, dozens at a time, but not a single one from the person