Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown

Chapter 300

Now, there was nothing left between them-Aaron had even less reason to listen to her.

Serena's gaze darted to the fruit knife lying on the table.

She gritted her teeth, snatched up the knife, and pressed it sharply against Cynthia Lynwood's throat.

Cynthia's breath caught in her chest-the sensation was all too familiar.

"Serena..." she whispered, fear trembling in her voice.

"Serena!" Aaron's face was tight with worry. "What are you doing?"

Seeing the concern in Aaron's eyes, Serena, oddly enough, calmed herself. The blade hovered just at Cynthia's neck as she spoke in a cold, steady tone. "Is this reason enough? Leave the Chatham family alone, or—"

Tears began streaming down Cynthia's cheeks. "Aaron, please help me! I don't want to die..."

Aaron's frustration boiled over. "Serena, do you even realize what you're doing? This is a crime. Is it really worth it for someone who's basically a stranger?"

reddened, but she

your world, everything comes easy. Friends, opportunities-if you

always a line of people waiting to hand it over. But in

every single

for example. All it took was

that should have been mine

icy glare she shot him. Each word hit

long, heavy silence, he finally managed, "If you

fragile. It was the kind of smile that called to mind an orchid blooming on the edge of a cliff, beautiful and perilous, ready to shatter at

don't get it.

the cultural exchange with Eldoria,

froze in

that was it—Serena's obsession with first place wasn't about reputation,

said, taking a steadying breath. "Why am I even explaining this to you? You've never had to struggle a day in your life. I'll just ask one more

face darkened. "I'm not going to do anything to the Chatham family,

Gabrielle stops

she expected. Serena released her grip on Cynthia.