Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown

Her eyes filled with tears as she looked at the man she had loved for seven years. "Why? Why?"

Why was he pushing her like this?

It was Aaron who repeatedly left her for Cynthia Lynwood.

And now, when she was ready to let go and walk away, why was Aaron suddenly unwilling to let her go?

Serena found it hard to believe it was out of love.

If Aaron truly loved her, how could he bear to hurt her again and again?

Perhaps it was just his pride getting in the way.

As Aaron listened to Serena's whisper, his gaze darkened.

"I'm giving you thirty minutes," he said, his voice cold. "If you're not back by then, Samuel and his family..."

Serena interrupted him softly. "So, if I come back, you'll leave them alone and act like nothing happened?"

"Yes."

"Serena!" It was Shirley's voice.

Serena's tears flowed freely. "Shirley..."

"Don't come back, please. Don't come back!" Shirley pleaded.

Serena sniffed, trying to compose herself. "Shirley, don't worry, I will save you."noveldrama

She took a deep breath, blinked away her tears, and turned her attention back to the screen. "I agree, but I have one condition."

"What condition?"

"I'll return to Alderburg, even stay there forever if needed, but we'll have no further contact, never see each other again."

Aaron's expression turned grim.

"If you don't agree, I'll jump right here," Serena said, pointing her phone at the vast ocean.

Aaron's eyes widened.

Serena's voice was steady and calm. "I'm not joking."

"Do you really never want to see me again?" Aaron's fists clenched.

Serena's tone was flat, without a hint of emotion. "Yes."

Aaron's eyes narrowed further, the veins on his clenched fists pulsing visibly.

"Fine, you return, stay in Alderburg forever, I'll spare Samuel's family, and we'll never meet again."

"And if you break your promise?" Serena asked.

"What do you want?" Aaron replied.

Serena gave a bitter smile. "What can I do? I only have one life. If you break your promise, I'll die in front of you."

Aaron's throat tightened, as if gripped by invisible hands. It took him a moment to push out a single word: "Alright."

Serena hung up the call. "Uncle, let's go back."

Zachary stood frozen, not moving.

Samuel hadn't shared much about Serena's situation.

All Zachary knew was that Serena had once saved Samuel's life.

True to the saying, repay kindness a hundredfold, Zachary was determined to help her.

But just now, he learned that the person Serena was avoiding was Aaron.

The financial powerhouse of Alderburg!

Momentarily stunned, he finally snapped back to reality when he heard Serena's voice. Swallowing hard, he said, "Serena, no, Miss Sullivan, you can't go back. I promised Samuel that no matter what, I'd get you out of here."

Having made a promise to his son, as a father, he couldn't break it.

Serena was taken aback, not expecting Zachary to say that.

But she shook her head. "Uncle, thank you. I know you mean well, but I have to

go back. I can't drag your family into this because of me."

"But..." Zachary frowned, "I promised Samuel I'd get you away from here!"