Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown

Chapter 258

William's eyes flashed as he met Aaron's gaze across the dimly lit corridor.

A silent tension simmered between them-unspoken words and hidden motives swirling beneath the surface.

No one could say how long the standoff lasted. Suddenly, a nurse's voice cut through the quiet: "You two at the end—it's late! Head back to your rooms, please!"

At her urging, William finally broke eye contact. He spun his wheelchair around and rolled back toward his hospital room.

Aaron was just about to follow when his phone buzzed. Cynthia Lynwood's name lit up the screen-again.

He answered. On the other end, Cynthia's voice was ragged with fear: "Aaron, please you have to help me! I...I'm being "

"What's happening?" Aaron's brow furrowed in concern. But all he could hear now was Cynthia's frantic, uneven breathing.

He glanced back toward William's room, hesitated for a heartbeat, then turned and hurried away.

***

morning, Serena opened her eyes, surprised to find William sitting

her even more was the calm that greeted her; for the first time in days,

home?" she asked, a mixture of

gently. "How are

reason Serena had collapsed:

to

few days ago, Penelope had come by to see Serena. No one knew what they'd talked about, but neighbors recalled

couldn't

thoughts: "Excuse me, does a

recognized the voice

later, Gabrielle herself swept into the room, her silhouette framed

her. "Finally!

Gabrielle's usually bright face when she

the news online-Serena's recent TV appearance had gone viral. Eager to

Serena's apartment, only to find it empty. In the end, it was a well-meaning neighbor who told her Seren@had been hospitalized. Gabrielle had rushed

softening her voice. "If you keep this up, you'll have to come stay