Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown

Aaron paused at the doorway, his footsteps halting and his breath growing quieter as he overheard the conversation inside.

Without missing a beat, Serena's voice drifted out from the room. "No. I wouldn't."

Aaron's heart dropped like a stone.

Inside, William's lips curled into a smile. "Now that filming's wrapped, do you have any plans?"

Sometimes, Serena found it hard to keep up with William's train of thought. But she still took a moment to think it over seriously before answering, "Hmm... I don't have any real plans at the moment. I just want to focus on my work at the rehab center."

"So... you haven't thought about taking a trip somewhere? Maybe go on vacation?" William asked.

Serena realized she'd never really considered it. Ever since she'd met Aaron, her days had revolved around him—she'd spent all her time chasing after him, never even thinking about traveling or getting away.

Once they'd started dating, Serena valued every moment she got to spend with Aaron even more. Since he didn't like crowds, he was never one for outings or adventures, so traveling just never became part of her life.

"If I had to choose," she said thoughtfully, "I think I'd really love to visit Scandinavia sometime."

"Oh?" William's eyes sparkled with genuine interest. "Is it the culture you like, or the scenery?"

"Both, honestly," Serena replied, her voice brightening as she opened up. For the first time in a while, she sounded carefree and happy.

Standing outside the door, Aaron listened to Serena's cheerful chatter, and his heart sank lower and lower. How long had it been since he'd heard her sound so light, so full of life?

He clenched his fists but couldn't bring himself to enter. Instead, he stood silently in the hallway, listening.

Only when Serena finally grew tired and drifted off to sleep did Aaron step into the room.

He immediately spotted William sitting at Serena's bedside, and a wave of bitter resentment crashed over him.

William, sensing movement behind him, turned slowly and offered Aaron a polite, indifferent smile.noveldrama

That smile made Aaron's anger flare, but when he glanced at Serena's peaceful sleeping face, he forced himself to stay calm. Brow furrowed, he said coldly, "Come out. Now."

William arched an eyebrow, paused, and then rolled his wheelchair after Aaron to

the far end of the hallway.

It was late, and the hospital was so quiet that even the wind rattling the windowpanes sounded loud.

Aaron stared out at the leafless trees silhouetted against the winter night, his gaze as cold as the scene outside.

"William, I have no wish to make you my enemy."

William's smile was faint but steady. "Nor I you.”

"Then stay away from Serena," Aaron shot back, spinning around There was no mistaking the hostility in his eyes-it was razor sharp, cutting straight through William's composure.

But William remained unruffled. "I think you know very well, Mr. Vance, who should be keeping their distance."

Aaron's expression hardened.

William's wheelchair creaked loudly in the silence. "You heard what she just said, didn't you?"

Aaron's face contorted with anger, his features almost frightening in the dim light.

"Serena's made herself clear, Mr. Vance. If you keep pushing, it won't be dignified for either of you."

At that, Aaron let out a cold, mirthless laugh that echoed down the empty corridor, chilling as a demon's whisper.

"William, how long have you actually known Serena? Do you really think you understand her? Just because she says 'no' you believe her? When did you start being so naïve?" leaned in, his voice low and deliberate as he stared directly into William's eyes. "But I suppose I can't

MOU

blame you. After all, you never saw just how wild she was in chasing

after me."