Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown novel Chapter 21

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.

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.