Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown

Maybe, as the rumors suggested, Aaron was only with her because Cynthia Lynwood was too frail, undergoing treatment abroad, and couldn't be by his side. So, she was just a stand-in.

Serena blinked twice, finally managing to push that bitter thought out of her mind.

"You seem disappointed?" Aaron's deep, magnetic voice broke the silence. "How about giving it a try?"

Serena shot back, "No way!"

Her refusal was firm, and a flicker of complex emotions passed through Aaron's eyes. But he quickly composed himself, pulling up the blanket over Serena. "Get some sleep. I won't touch you."

He'd said the same thing before. Back then, she was naive enough to feel touched. Now, she could only scoff.

As soon as Serena closed her eyes, Aaron's phone rang.

She didn't need to look to know it was Cynthia Lynwood.

Hearing the movement as Aaron got up, Serena let out a cold laugh.

Aaron paused mid-step.

Looking at Serena's back, he felt a sharp pang in his chest, a discomfort he couldn't shake.

After a moment's hesitation, he took his phone and went downstairs.

Downstairs, after Cynthia once again complained about not feeling well, Aaron glanced towards the second floor. "I understand. I'll call Matthew for you."

"And Cynthia, if you're feeling unwell, just call Matthew directly. He's your attending physician, not me."

Cynthia Lynwood clutched her phone, her face as pale as paper. It took her a while to force out a response. "I understand, Aaron."

After hanging up, she could no longer contain her anger and hurled her phone against the wall.

"That witch! Serena, you're nothing but a witch!"

Nearby, Matthew rushed to hold her, seeing how agitated she was. "Cynthia, calm down. Your health is more important!"

Exhausted, Cynthia leaned against Matthew's shoulder, tears falling like snowflakes. "Matthew, I hate this so much. I was the one who knew Aaron first, but just because I went abroad for treatment, that witch Serena swooped in. If only I hadn't donated my kidney back then..."

"Stop crying, your health is fragile," Matthew gently patted Cynthia's shoulder, his eyes full of concern. "Serena's stepping back was just a ploy to get Aaron's attention. But rest assured, Aaron's heart is with you. Once you find a suitable kidney donor and recover, Aaron will surely be with you."

Cynthia's sobs gradually subsided.

"Thank you, Matthew."

"Try to get some rest. There's no need to harm your health over Serena."

Cynthia nodded and watched Matthew leave, her eyes instantly turning cold and calculating.noveldrama

She feared that once she was well, everything might have changed!

So!

She had to take action!

The next morning.

Serena got up and was surprised to find Aaron downstairs.

She had assumed that after receiving Cynthia's call last night, Aaron would disappear for a few days again.

Walking to the table, Serena looked at the bowl of soup and a small plate of side dishes Olivia placed in front of her, a mocking smile playing on her lips.

"Is the Vance family going bankrupt? Breakfast is so meager?"

The Vance family's staff had always shown her little respect.

Not just with breakfast, but with everything else as well.

Before, she was too focused on Aaron to care.

But now, she didn't care about Aaron, let alone the Vance family's staff.