Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown

The footage was high-definition, every corner of the photo sharp and clear.

Aaron spotted Cynthia Lynwood in the picture immediately. She was hailing a cab outside the hotel.

“Look here!” Frederick pointed to the direction of the taxi in the image.

Only then did Aaron notice the woman standing behind the cab. She was tall, her face obscured by oversized sunglasses. Her features were hidden, but as she raised her hand, a pale wrist emerged, marred by a large, unmistakable scar.

Aaron's fingers trembled. "Is that really Evelyn?!"

A fierce light flashed in Frederick's eyes as a smile tugged at his lips. "Yes. It has to be her!"

Maybe there are people in this world who look alike. But a scar in the exact same place? That's more than a coincidence.

Aaron, though excited, quickly regained his composure. "If that really is Evelyn, why hasn't she come home?"

"I've wondered about that too," Frederick replied, his tone serious. "She might have lost her memory, Aaron. Maybe she doesn't remember us at all. Think about it-she only ever shows up around Cynthia Lynwood. Maybe the only thing she remembers is that Cynthia once donated her a kidney."

Aaron fell silent for a long moment before finally speaking. "It still doesn't add up.”

"What do you mean?" Frederick pressed, anxiety in his voice.

Aaron stared at the photo, turning it over in his hands again and again before finally looking up. "This photo-it was taken from security footage, right?"

Frederick nodded.

"Was it the day after you pulled your guys off Cynthia Lynwood?"

Frederick's eyes widened, a hint of suspicion flickering across his face. "How did you know?"

"Because tried the same thing." Aaron's expression darkened. "As long asz had someone tailing Cynthia, that woman never showed up. But the moment my people backed off, she'd appear."

"She knows our every move. This whole thing feels more like a trap-like someone's waiting for us to take the bait."noveldrama

Frederick's face paled. But then he

said,

in.

if it's a trap, I'll walk right

a chance to find B

I'd walk through fire for it." Cons

Aaron was taken aback.

Frederick dropped his gaze, hiding the pain in his eyes. "I've already lost Evelyn once. I can't lose her again."

Aaron's expression shifted, and suddenly Serena's face flashed before his mind's eye-those cold, wounded eyes, growing clearer and clearer.

"There's still one way we can know for sure if the woman in the photo is Evelyn." Aaron lowered his voice.

Frederick hesitated, then seemed to realize what Aaron meant. His face changed. "You're saying..."

Aaron nodded slightly. "This one's yours."

Frederick opened his mouth to protest, but he knew as well as Aaron did this

was the only way to find out if Evelyn was truly alive.

"Alright," he said finally. He stood and strode purposefully toward the door. A few steps in, he paused and turned back, sincerity shining in his eyes. Aaron, as your friend, let me give you some advice. Love isn't business. It's the one thing in this world you can't control. Maybe it's not too late for you to fix things. Don't end up like me, drowning your regrets in whiskey and letting the years slip by."

Aaron's face hardened.

By the time he looked up, Frederick was gone.