Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown

It was five o'clock in the afternoon when Gabrielle came back, arms full of a homemade, nourishing dinner her family's housekeeper had prepared.

She set the food down, covering the entire table. The air was thick with the mouthwatering aroma of freshly cooked dishes.

Serena couldn't help but chuckle in exasperation. "There's no way I can finish all this."

"Come on, eat up! My dad brought all these ingredients back from overseas- they're especially good for you." Gabrielle slipped an arm around Serena's shoulders, her voice full of concern. "Look at you, you're way too thin."

Even as she spoke, Gabrielle couldn't help cursing Aaron under her breath. Thinking of Aaron inevitably made her think of William. "Where's William?"

"He went back to work," Serena replied.

Gabrielle's brows knit in disbelief. "Seriously? You're in this state and he's got the nerve to run back to the office?"

Serena had to laugh at Gabrielle's righteous indignation. "He's the CEO of Grayson Group, you know. Even if the sky were falling, he'd still have to show up for work. And anyway, I'm just sick, not dying."

Gabrielle pursed her lips, clearly dissatisfied. "He stayed by your side both times you were hospitalized. I actually thought he was different from Aaron, but in the end, men really are all the same."

Serena started to sense something was off. "Wait, are you misunderstanding something? William and I are just friends."

Gabrielle blinked rapidly, as if trying to process this. "Friends? Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

Gabrielle scratched her head. "Really just friends?"

Serena took a sip of soup, perfectly calm. "Really."

She was certain. She and William were just friends.

"Then how come every time something happens to you, William's always there?" Gabrielle's eyes suddenly lit up. "I get it! William has a secret crush on you!"

Serena sputtered, nearly spraying her soup everywhere. She quickly grabbed a napkin, wiping her mouth.

Gabrielle's imagination was nothing if not wild.

"Wow, your mind really does go places..."

"Oh, come on! Don't look at me like I'm crazy. Why else would William show up every time? Like the saying goes, nobody gets up early without a good reason. You're his 'good reason," Gabrielle replied with an exaggerated, knowing grin.

Serena could only shake her head. If Gabrielle ever found out that William had once proposed marriage to her just to appease his family, she'd never say such things.

"I'm going to eat now. Stop teasing me."

Gabrielle pouted, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Fine, fine. I'll let you eat first. But as soon as you're done, I've got more to say."noveldrama

With that, she plopped down on the couch and started scrolling through her phone.

Serena gave her a look, then finally turned her attention to the food. It took her half an hour, but she finally managed to eat her fill.

When she stood up to clear the table, Gabrielle jumped in. "Hey! Hold on, let me call someone to take care of that."

She pressed a button on the wall, and within moments, a cheerful woman in a caretaker's uniform slipped in, efficiently clearing the dishes and tidying up before quietly leaving the room. '

Serena looked surprised. "You hired a caretaker for me?"

Gabrielle shook her head. "Nope, she's with the hospital. When I came, the housekeeper wanted bring the food up for me, but I wanted to see you myself, so brought it instead." She paused, then shot Serena a sly look. “You didn't believe me earlier, huh? Well, I have proof that William likes you!"

Serena grinned. “So that's why you were glued to your phone-gathering evidence?"

"Exactly!" Gabrielle beamed, handing her phone over to Serena like she was presenting a treasure. "Look-see for yourself!"