Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown

"What happened between you and Joy?" Serena asked Rock after she had sent a message to Shirley.

Rock's expression showed a hint of discomfort.

Earlier that day, he and Joy had gone to the beach to paint. Everything had been

fine until the evening when Joy suddenly confessed her feelings for him.

Rock didn't reciprocate Joy's feelings, so he naturally turned her down.

Upset, Joy accused him of having feelings for Serena.

Rock was annoyed. "I don't like you, and it has nothing to do with Serena."

"Don't lie to me! I saw you last night. You like Serena! She's richer and prettier than me!" Joy shouted before running off.

Rock had assumed she was heading home and didn't give it much thought, continuing his painting. Little did he know, she would actually return to campus.

"Let's head back," Serena suggested, sensing Rock didn't want to talk about it further.

Rock gave Serena a grateful look.

Serena started walking towards the house, with Rock following. As their shadows occasionally overlapped on the ground, an indescribable feeling stirred within him.

When they reached the house, Shirley was already back.

"That girl, heading back to school without saying a word," Shirley lamented, but with Serena's gentle coaxing, she finally went to her room to rest.

"It's getting late, you should get some rest too," Serena advised when she noticed Rock still standing there, lost in thought.

Rock looked at Serena, hesitating to speak, but eventually nodded and headed to his room.

The next morning, after breakfast, Rock made his way back to school.

The journey from Moonhaven to Alderburg University took over five hours, and by the time he arrived, it was already noon.

His dorm was empty; his three roommates were out. The room felt eerily quiet.

Thinking about Joy, he felt guilty. Although he didn't have romantic feelings for her, they were still classmates. She had left for school early because of him, so he felt obliged to check on her.

Rock went to the girls' dorm to look for Joy but was told she hadn't returned to campus.noveldrama

"She didn't come back?"

"No," her roommate answered, looking puzzled. "Didn't she say she was going on a date with you?"

Rock didn't bother correcting her. "Could you try calling Joy?"

Sensing Rock's concern, the roommate quickly dialed Joy's number.

The call connected.

Following Rock's instructions, the roommate asked, "Joy, where are you?"

Joy stood at the entrance to Rosewood Gardens, clutching her phone, her expression conflicted and pained. She had spent the night there, torn over whether to tell Aaron about Serena in Moonhaven.

If she told Aaron, he would surely bring Serena back, which would end Rock's interest. But... doing so would make her family despise her.

"Joy, are you listening?" her roommate's voice broke through her thoughts. "Rock is here looking for you. When will you be back?"

Joy's eyes lit up. "Rock is looking for me?"

"Yeah," her roommate replied, lowering her voice. "He seemed really worried. Joy, you two aren't..."

Joy felt as if her heart was filled with honey. "Really? I'm coming back right now!"

Back in Moonhaven, Serena had been standing by the door since lunch, gazing out towards the sea.