Serena sat on the edge of the massive bed. The room was silent. Too silent.
No TV. No music. No Liam.
Just her... alone in a golden prison.
She looked at the fancy wallpaper, the velvet curtains, the chandelier. It didn't feel like a home. It felt like a cage.
Her phone buzzed beside her.
**Elliot ❤️ Calling...**
Her heart skipped.
Elliot.
Her boyfriend.
The only person who knew her heart. The only one who always stood by her side.
She wiped her tears and quickly picked the call.
"Hello?" Her voice was soft, scared.
"Serena..." His voice sounded distant. Cold.
"Baby," she whispered. "Please let me explain."
"Explain what?" Elliot asked. "Explain how you just got married to a billionaire overnight?"
"Elliot, I didn't choose this," she said, tears already forming again. "My mum—she forced me. She signed the papers. She said if I don't marry Liam, she'll disown me. My dad... he's in the hospital. We didn't have the money."
"Serena, stop."
"I'm serious," she cried. "You know me. You know I'd never leave you like that. I didn't even know it was happening until the day before!"
There was silence.
Then his voice changed.
"You're a liar."
Her heart broke.
"No... Elliot, please—"
"You used me, Serena. You made me look like a fool."
"What? No! I didn't—"
"You've always been like this," he snapped. "You're just like those other girls. Chasing money. Looking for who's rich. That's why you ran to Liam, right?"
"Elliot, you know me better than that—"
"Do I?" he cut her off. "Because the Serena I knew wouldn't become someone's wife overnight. The Serena I knew wouldn't marry a billionaire behind my back."
"I was trying to save my father!" she screamed. "He's dying! We didn't have a choice!"
"You had a choice!" he shouted back. "You could've trusted me! You could've waited! You didn't even tell me!"
Her lips trembled. "There was no time."
He laughed—cold and painful. "You know what hurts me the most, Serena?"
"What?" she whispered.
"I actually believed in you. I thought you were different. I thought you were real."
"I am real... I still love you—"
"No, you don't," he said quickly. "You love money. You love the lifestyle. You love being Mrs. Steel."
Serena broke down crying. "Elliot, that's not fair. You don't know what I've been through. I didn't ask for this marriage. I didn't want this life."
"Well, now you have it," he said coldly. "Enjoy it. Enjoy your mansion. Enjoy your rich husband. Enjoy your new last name."
"Please, don't talk like this," she begged. "Please."
"I don't want to hear from you again, Serena. Ever."
Her breath caught in her throat.
"Elliot... please don't do this. Please."
But he had already ended the call.
---
She dropped the phone and covered her mouth, trying not to scream.
He was the last person she thought would turn his back on her.
She gave him everything. Her time. Her loyalty. Her heart.
And now... he called her cheap.
He called her a gold-digger.
And the worst part?
He didn't even let her explain.
---
A knock came at the door.
She wiped her tears and stood up.
The door opened slowly.
It was Mrs. Isabella Steel.
Liam's mother.
The woman behind this whole arrangement.
She stepped inside, dressed in a fitted black gown and holding her purse like a queen.
"Wipe your face," Isabella said, her tone sharp. "You're someone's wife now. You don't get to cry like a little girl."
Serena quickly wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her shirt.
"I know you're not happy," Isabella continued. "But none of this is about happiness. It's about duty. It's about image. It's about power."
Serena didn't respond.
"Liam might not like you," she said plainly. "In fact, he probably doesn't. But that doesn't matter. You'll behave like the perfect wife. You'll smile in public. You'll look good beside him. And you'll never bring shame to this family. Understood?"
Serena nodded slowly. "Yes, ma'am."
Isabella walked closer. "There are women who would kill to be in your shoes, Serena. You better act like you know the value of this opportunity."
Serena looked her in the eyes. "It doesn't feel like an opportunity. It feels like punishment."
Isabella smiled. A cold smile. "That's because you're weak. But don't worry. That will change."
She turned and walked out of the room without saying another word.
---
Serena sat on the bed again, shaking.
Everything felt like a dream. A bad one.
No Elliot.
No peace.
No escape.
She looked at her wedding ring. It felt heavy on her finger. Like chains.
Her phone buzzed again.
**Unknown Number:** *"You really think being Liam's wife will save you?"*
Her heart raced.
**Unknown Number:** *"You're just a piece on the board. And the game has just begun."*
She stared at the screen, frozen.
Who was sending these messages?
Why did it feel like someone was watching her?
---
Later that evening, she walked down the stairs to get water. The penthouse was quiet.
She passed Liam's office. The door was open just a little.
She paused.
She could hear voices.
Liam was on the phone.
"No, I don't love her," he said. "I don't even know her. She's just here for one reason."
Serena froze.
"I needed a wife. I got one. That's all."
He laughed.
"No, I don't care what she thinks. She's nothing to me. Just a contract. A tool."
Serena's chest tightened.
She slowly walked away before he could notice her.
Each word he said echoed in her head.
*She's nothing to me... Just a contract... A tool...*
Her tears started again.
She wasn't just losing Elliot.
She was stuck in a house with a man who didn't even see her as human.
---
She went back to her room and curled up on the bed.
She thought she had hit rock bottom earlier.
But now... she realized she hadn't even started falling.
---
**Cliffhanger:**
At 2 a.m., Serena woke up to a strange sound.
A soft creaking near the window.
She sat up slowly, heart racing.
She walked to the window, but saw nothing.
Then her phone buzzed again.
**Unknown Number:** *"Still think this marriage was your worst nightmare? Think again."*
Serena dropped the phone.
Someone was watching her.
And she didn't feel safe anymore.