Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown

The cold, emotionless tone was gone.

Now, his voice trembled-tight, anxious.

There was even a hint of tears in it.

"Starved yourself stupid, have you?" Aaron's icy voice cut through the tension again.

It was nothing like the gentle concern she'd heard in her dream.

Serena was sure of it now.

That really had just been a dream.noveldrama

When Serena still didn't say a word, Aaron's brow tightened further.

He lifted a hand and waved it in front of her face.

Serena shut her eyes.

Seeing this, the rigid line of Aaron's jaw finally softened a little. "Do you want

some soup, or would you rather have some broth?"

Serena's long lashes fluttered, but she didn't answer.

She wasn't trying to defy Aaron.

She was simply so hungry she barely had the strength to speak.

The next thing she knew, his arms scooped her up.

Serena's eyes flew open in alarm, but her body was limp-she could do nothing

but collapse against Aaron's chest.

A faint hint of mint from his cologne filled her senses.

There was a time when Serena had loved that scent on him.

After a nightmare, as long as she could breathe in that familiar fragrance, she'd drift right back to sleep.

But now, it only grated on her nerves.

Yet she was too weak to do anything about it.

The relentless blows she'd taken lately left her feeling utterly defeated.

Her mind was a fog, but suddenly, something warm pressed against her lips.

She glanced down-a spoonful of broth hovered there.

"Here," Aaron said, his expression frosty but his touch surprisingly gentle. "Open up."

Serena clamped her lips shut.

Aaron's brow furrowed sharply. "What, you planning to starve yourself to death?"

She still didn't answer, keeping her mouth sealed.

Aaron's grip on the spoon tightened. Then, as if struck by an idea, a faint smile flickered across his face. Oh, I see. You want me to feed you myself? Fine."

Serena's eyes widened.

She wasn't sure what he meant, but her brain sounded every alarm.

A second later, his hand clamped around her jaw.

Before she could react, Aaron's lips crashed down on hers-hard, almost

punishing, like he wanted to devour her whole.

Serena's breathing turned ragged.

She shoved at his chest with all the strength she had left.

But he didn't budge, solid as a wall.

Her breaths grew more frantic, shallow.

“Mmm..... Let..... let go of me..." she managed to gasp, her voice trembling.

bet

Unbeknownst to her, her tone-soft delicate sounded more like a plea than a protest, as if it could melt in

s hands.

Instead of quelling Aaron's anger, it only poured fuel on the fire.

The desire in his eyes was nearly enough to set the whole world ablaze.

But when he saw the pain flicker in Serena's gaze, he forced himself to let go, holding back the storm inside.

A mocking smirk curled on his lips. "Gonna behave now?"

Serena's head snapped up, her lips flushed and glistening, practically begging for another kiss.

But her eyes blazed with fury.

Aaron, noticing the life finally

burning back in her cheeks, allowed

himself a crooked smile. "If you want

me, at least eat something

first."

Serena glared at him.

She did want to hit Aaron.

But she honestly didn't have the strength.

When Aaron offered her the spoon again, Serena hesitated, then ducked her head

and bit down on it.

He was right.

You had to eat if you wanted energy to fight.

She finished off two big bowls of porridge, two more of chicken broth, and for the first time in days, her strength returned.

She glanced at Aaron sitting beside her then promptly kicked him in the shin.