Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown

Chapter 265

As expected, Serena wasn't the least bit surprised by his answer. Her heart had long since forgotten what pain felt like-maybe she'd just grown numb.

She looked at Aaron, eyes dull and lifeless. "You really are the perfect boyfriend, Mr. Vance. Paving the way for your girlfriend, even if it means trampling someone else underfoot."

Aaron's frown deepened. "Serena, could you try talking to me like a normal person? I'm doing this for your own good."

"For my own good?" Serena pulled out her phone and opened the comments section beneath the official post. "You mean, stepping on me to prop up your girlfriend, deleting every post that has anything to do with me, and making sure I can't even trend online? Well, if that's your idea of helping, Mr. Vance, then I suppose I should be grateful."

Aaron's expression shifted.

"Serena, can you-"

But the next second, his eyes landed on the flood of comments bashing Serena and singing Cynthia Lynwood's praises. His face changed instantly. He snatched the phone from Serena's hand.

By the time he'd scrolled to the end, his expression was stormy.

on her lips, something twisted in his chest, and he clenched his

turned on his heel

watched him go, her face

what Aaron intended?

a long breath, but the

she got up and headed down to

garden was dotted with patients basking in the sun, some sitting, some standing, all of them with tired faces that made the wilting flower beds look even

her head back and closed her eyes, letting the sunlight slowly seep into her skin. Only

what William had said to her that day: "If winter's here, can

here, can spring be far

where was

Or friends, if not family. But her? She'd come into this world all

on a train that never stopped-no station ever meant

slowly opened her eyes, her lips curving in a bitter smirk. But the next

William was sitting in his wheelchair, watching her