Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown

Seven stitches.

Aaron watched as Serena, pale-faced, sat silently on the hospital bed. He couldn't help but recall how she remained wordless while the doctor stitched her up.

He remembered the days when Bella, his little girl, would whimper and run to him for comfort at the smallest bump or bruise. When had she grown so resilient?

His heart felt heavy, burdened with a mixture of emotions.

He had initially thought Serena was upset with him for missing their appointment at the registry office.

But today, Serena seemed willing to hurt herself just to be away from him...

It was clear this time, she was truly angry.

"Serena..."

His phone rang in his pocket.

It was Matthew.

Matthew rarely called from his own phone, usually using Cynthia Lynwood's

instead. If he called from his own, it meant something urgent.noveldrama

Aaron glanced at Serena, who sat lifelessly, and answered the call.

"Mr. Vance, when can you come back? Cynthia's condition is critical. If we don't

find a suitable donor soon, she... she won't have much time left."

Clutching his phone tightly, Aaron looked over at Serena, lying motionless like a puppet whose strings had been cut. She didn't even blink.

"I'll head back to Alderburg immediately," Aaron replied, his voice firm.

Matthew sighed in relief on the other end. "Alright."

Aaron ended the call and moved to Serena's side. He took her hand, noting how cold it felt, like it had just been pulled from an icebox.

"I need to return to Alderburg to handle some matters. I'll be back to get you as soon as I'm done."

Serena's eyelids fluttered slightly.

It was a brief moment, but Aaron caught the glimmer of joy in her eyes, and his heart tightened.

In the past, whenever he mentioned leaving to handle something, Serena would sulk. But now...

With a heavy heart, Aaron left for Alderburg.

Serena, on the other hand, found herself smiling at his departure.

However, the pain was real.

During her second dressing change, Serena winced and grimaced in pain.

The nurse chuckled, "You were so tough during your first dressing change, not a peep. I thought you might have been in the army. This is just a dressing change, less painful than stitches. Why are you making such a fuss now?"

Serena smiled but didn't answer.

In the past, she would have made a fuss over every bump and scrape, wanting the whole world to know.

But every time, Aaron would respond with, "You're an adult now. Can't you be a bit braver?"

So, she stopped showing weakness in front of Aaron.

A few days later, Serena was discharged.

William came to pick her up, returning her ID along with her.

He didn't mention a word about why she was hospitalized, even though he knew full well.

Once they reached the Helene Grand Hotel, Serena got out of the car. Just as the door was about to close, she turned to William and asked, "About the failed registration last time, should we reschedule?"

William's expression was complex.

"I know you don't really want to marry me, and I don't want to marry you. Let's just

call off our families' engagement. I'll explain it to Penelope."

Serena looked at William, stunned, before finally saying, "Thank you."

William nodded slightly.

Serena closed the car door and walked into the hotel with a spring in her step.

The assistant in the front seat watched her go. "Mr. Grayson, why didn't you tell Miss Sullivan that you're already married?"

"It was just a farce. No need to tell her."

After all, he had ways to quietly annul the marriage.

The assistant was surprised.

When had Mr. Grayson become so considerate?