Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown novel Chapter 235

Serena stood on the sidewalk, watching the car disappear down the street until the taillights were just a memory. Only then did she turn and, still uneasy, head back toward her apartment complex.

Halfway home, she stopped in her tracks, suddenly questioning herself.

What was she so anxious about? William wasn’t the kind of man to do something reckless. Why was she letting her imagination run wild?

Chiding herself for worrying over nothing, Serena let out a breath, her steps noticeably lighter as she continued on.

At her door, she fished out her keys and had only just unlocked it when a hand clamped suddenly around her wrist.

Before she could react, she was spun sharply around—forced to meet a pair of bloodshot, furious eyes.

Serena’s back slammed against the cold wall, her heart dropping into her stomach. “Aaron?!” she gasped.

How had he even gotten in here? This was Northspire, not Alderburg—security was supposed to be tight.

Aaron’s icy gaze bore into her, as if searching her face for answers. But after a long, tense moment, all he found was fear and fury—not the reaction he’d expected.

A sharp ache twisted in his chest. “You don’t have anything to say to me?” he demanded.

Serena was too stunned to process his sudden appearance, but the mention of the lawsuit brought her anger boiling to the surface. She let out a cold laugh. “What do you want me to say?”

She could finally see Aaron for who he really was.

Aaron’s eyes narrowed, picking up on the challenge in hers. His voice dropped, dangerously low. “Serena, do you really feel nothing at all?”

Her smile only grew brighter, but there was nothing warm behind it—just ice. “Of course I feel something.”

Aaron’s expression flickered. “And what’s that?”

She clenched her jaw, bitterness sharpening her words. “Seven years ago, I must have been blind to fall for you. If I could do it over, I’d rather never have met you at all!”

Aaron flinched as if struck. His grip on her wrist tightened so much it nearly bruised. “That’s how you really feel?”

Experience had taught her, over and over: you can’t count on anyone but yourself. Sooner or later, every safety net fails—unless you weave your own.

She needed a plan. The only way to win this case was to convince Giles to represent her in court.

The thought only stressed her further.

Just then, her phone rang.

It was William.

Serena took a deep breath before answering.

“Giles has agreed to take your case,” William said, his voice clear and steady.

For a moment, Serena couldn’t believe what she was hearing.