Serena woke up with swollen eyes. She didn't sleep much. The words Vanessa said kept playing in her head.
"You'll never be enough."
Even now, it made her chest tight.
She dragged herself out of bed and went downstairs. She met Mrs. Isabella already sitting in the living room.
"Good morning, ma," Serena greeted, trying to sound normal.
Isabella looked up from her phone. "Why are your eyes like that?"
Serena quickly looked down. "Nothing. Just tired."
"Hmm. I hope you didn't disgrace us yesterday."
"No ma."
"Good. Eat something. We have visitors later today."
Serena nodded and walked to the dining table.
After a while, Liam came down too, dressed sharp as usual. He sat opposite her without even saying good morning.
Serena forced herself to eat. But she could feel his eyes on her.
Finally, he spoke. "You went somewhere yesterday."
Serena looked up slowly. "I said I went to the bathroom."
He dropped his spoon. "Don't lie to me. I saw a waiter give you something."
Serena froze.
So he noticed.
"It was just a note," she said softly.
"From who?"
She looked away. "I don't know."
"You're hiding something."
"I'm not—"
He stood up suddenly and banged the table. "I don't like liars, Serena!"
She jumped in fear.
"I'm already doing more than I should by letting you stay here. Don't make me regret it."
Tears filled her eyes. "Why do you hate me this much?"
Liam didn't answer. He just walked away.
Serena sat there shaking. She wanted to leave this place so bad. But where would she go?
That afternoon, she got a call from Clara.
"Babe, are you okay?" Clara asked.
Serena forced a smile. "I'm fine."
"You don't sound fine. Talk to me."
Serena stepped out to the garden and sat on a bench. "It's just too much, Clara. His mum acts like I'm a showpiece. Liam doesn't even like me. And now… his ex is threatening me."
"Wait… what?"
"She came to the hotel. She said she's not done with me."
"Jesus. Serena, this is not good oh. Are you safe?"
"I don't know."
"Just take it easy. Remember why you're doing this. Your dad is safe now, right?"
Serena nodded. "Yes. That's the only thing giving me hope."
"Then hold on. God will fight for you."
Serena wiped her eyes. "Amen."
After the call, she went back inside. Liam was in the study room. She stood at the door for a minute, then entered.
He looked up. "What do you want?"
"I want to talk," she said.
"I don't."
"Please… just listen."
He leaned back in his chair, clearly not interested.
"I didn't choose this marriage. My mother forced me. I had someone I loved. But I gave everything up for my father's life. I know you don't like me. But I'm not your enemy."
Liam's eyes narrowed. "You're not my enemy?"
"No."
He stood up and walked closer to her. "Then why are you meeting with my ex secretly?"
"I didn't plan to! She sent a note. I didn't even know who it was until I got there."
"You still went."
"I just wanted to know what she wanted."
"And what did she want?"
"She said… she wants you back."
Liam laughed coldly. "She cheated on me. Now she's crawling back."
Serena looked up at him. "Do you still love her?"
He didn't answer.
"That's what I thought," she whispered.
As she turned to leave, he grabbed her hand. "I didn't say I loved her."
Serena froze.
"I just hate being played. And right now, I don't know if you're working with her or playing innocent."
"I'm not working with her!" she cried. "I'm not pretending either. You think I'm enjoying this marriage? You think I like staying in a house where I'm not wanted? I'm just trying to survive, Liam!"
He stared at her. Her voice was shaking. Her hands too. But she didn't care anymore.
"I'm not your wife," she whispered. "Not in your heart. Not in this home. So stop treating me like a problem."
And with that, she walked out.
That night, she didn't eat. She stayed in her room, staring at the ceiling.
But around midnight, she heard a soft knock.
She opened the door — and it was Liam.
Her heart skipped.
"What are you doing here?"
"I came to say something."
She didn't move.
"I… might have been wrong. Maybe I've been too harsh. Maybe I judged you too fast."
Serena's eyes widened. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying… I'll try. Not because I love you. But because maybe… we both didn't choose this. But we can try to survive it."
Serena blinked. She didn't expect this.
"You'll try?"
He nodded once.
Then he walked away.
She closed the door gently.
And for the first time… she smiled a little.
But deep in her heart, she knew trying wasn't the same as loving.
And Liam Steele?
He still had too many walls around his heart.