Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown

Chapter 235

Serena stood on the sidewalk, watching the car disappear down the street until the taillights were just a memory. Only then did she turn and, still uneasy, head back toward her apartment complex.

Halfway home, she stopped in her tracks, suddenly questioning herself.

What was she so anxious about? William wasn't the kind of man to do something reckless. Why was she letting her imagination run wild?

Chiding herself for worrying over nothing, Serena let out a breath, her steps noticeably lighter as she continued on.

At her door, she fished out her keys and had only just unlocked it when a hand clamped suddenly around her wrist.

Before she could react, she was spun sharply around-forced to meet a pair of bloodshot, furious eyes.

Serena's back slammed against the cold wall, her heart dropping into her stomach. "Aaron?!" she gasped.

How had he even gotten in here? This was Northspire, not Alderburg-security was supposed to be tight.

Aaron's icy gaze bore into her, as if searching her face for answers. But after a long, tense moment, all he found was fear and fury-not the reaction he'd expected.

his chest. "You don't have anything to say to me?" he

of the lawsuit brought her anger boiling to the surface. She let out a cold laugh. "What

could finally see Aaron for who he

on the challenge in hers. His voice dropped, dangerously low. "Serena, do you

only grew brighter, but there was nothing warm behind

expression flickered. "And what's

her words. "Seven years ago, I must have been blind to fall for you. If I could do it

struck. His grip on her wrist tightened so much it nearly

met his stare, refusing to look away despite

clear that Aaron could see the

and his grip loosened. In that split second, Serena shoved him away and

like a whip crack

stared at the closed door, dark eyes swirling with stormy emotion. That old feeling of losing control-something he hadn't felt in years-came rushing back. Inside, Serena pressed a trembling hand to her chest. Only when the hallway outside fell

her anxiety

after? Even if he could prove that without him, she couldn't protect

those four years with Aaron, no one had dared give her trouble about the antiques. But she couldn't go back to him just to keep them