Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown

Chapter 293

William tilted his head back ever so slightly, as if invisible hands were strumming the strings of his heart, coaxing out a chaotic, tangled melody.

"So... you're saying you don't love me now?"

Serena let out a bitter laugh. Her striking features, half-hidden behind the rim of her glass, seemed even more beautiful in their sadness. Her eyes shimmered with resignation. "Didn't you once say I'd never make the same mistake twice?"

She paused, her lips tugged into a wry smile. "The truth is, I've already fallen into the same trap twice."

"That's why I've sworn off love for the rest of my life."

William's hands tightened on the armrests. "Are you saying you've fallen for someone other than Aaron?"

Serena took a sip of her wine, the sweet flavor lingering on her tongue, warming her from the inside out.

"If only I had," she murmured. "Maybe then, I could finally let go of the pain from my last relationship."

William sighed in relief.

He watched Serena, her cheeks flushed, somewhere between tipsy and sober. His lips parted, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he held back.

wasn't the time to lay

marriage license... he still wasn't sure

at him over the rim of her glass, her gaze

beat, though

closing the distance between them. A faint, fresh scent clung

furrowed her brow, a soft, troubled sound escaping

his heart leap into his throat. "What is

was wrong of us to

her eyes wide

relief, easing back just

didn't pick a fight on purpose. At most, you could call it... entrapment. But if the other person had any decency, none of

softening. "It's like your father's accident. Sure, he got in that crash coming home for your birthday, to bring you a

eyes shimmered, and she nearly blinked

what William had really intended? He'd brought her here, knowing her guilt, just to comfort

love him," William went on, his voice as gentle as a spring breeze, brushing away her sorrow "You wanted the most important person in your life there, celebrating your birthday together. That's not something to feel guilty about. I know healing from this is hard, but I'll be here for you. Every step

at him,

free, tracing silent

Penelope collapsed onto the couch, her face