Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown novel Chapter 253

Serena lay motionless on the bed, her face ghastly pale, as if the life had been drained out of her.

Aaron felt as though a giant fist had gripped his heart, squeezing tight. He rushed to her side and reached out, desperate for any sign of life.

A faint breath brushed against his palm. The crushing weight in his chest loosened for a heartbeat—only to clench again, even tighter than before.

He didn’t pause to think. Instinct took over. In one swift movement, he bent down, scooped Serena into his arms, and hurried toward the door.

Their neighbor, startled by the sight of Serena’s waxen face in Aaron’s arms, gasped and quickly stepped aside to let them pass.

***

Grayson Group Headquarters.

“Mr. Grayson, the hotel for Mr. Weatherly has been arranged,” Finn reported crisply.

Determined to avoid any more mishaps, Finn had spent three days searching for a location that was both discreet and secure.

As soon as the arrangements were in place, he hurried back to deliver the news.

William Grayson looked up, pushing aside the papers on his desk. “Are you absolutely certain nothing can go wrong?”

“Yes, sir. The hotel is one of our own properties, reserved exclusively for Grayson family members. There’s no way anyone from outside can get in—not even Aaron, no matter how resourceful he is.”

William gave a slight nod, but his striking eyes betrayed a flicker of unease.

He tapped his long fingers against the desk, the rhythmic sound echoing softly through the office.

“Finn.”

“Yes, sir?”

“Tell me—why do you think Aaron is doing all this?”

Finn hesitated, caught off guard by the question. He shook his head honestly. “I’m not sure, sir.”

He paused, then continued under William’s encouraging gaze, “But… something about this whole situation feels staged.”

“Staged?” William’s brows knitted together.

“Yes. Think about that ridiculous sweater…” Finn trailed off as William’s expression soured.

“You’re awake?”

The cool, low timbre beside her was unmistakable.

She didn’t need to look to know it was Aaron. Still, she turned her head, confirming it was indeed him.

Once she did, a strange sense of detachment washed over her.

Ever since Penelope’s visit, Serena had been tormented by nightmares every night. She couldn’t bear to close her eyes, but even then, the horrors would bleed into her waking hours.

At first, it was only the image of her father lying in a hospital bed.

Then, it was blood—so much blood—her father trapped in a car, his body mangled and broken…

Eventually, the nightmares crept into daylight. Even if she blinked for just a second, she’d see her father’s face—bloody, eyes brimming with anguish and accusation.

Reality and nightmare blurred together. She could hardly tell them apart anymore.

All she remembered was the agony, the desperate wish to follow her father into oblivion—until, suddenly, she heard Aaron’s voice.