Serena stood beside her father's hospital bed. Her hands were shaking as she touched his weak arm. The surgery went well. The doctor said he just needed to rest and stay in the hospital for some weeks. That was the only good news Serena had heard in a long time.
Daddy," she whispered.
He didn't wake up. He was still sleeping from the drugs they gave him after the surgery. But just seeing him like this made Serena cry again. At least he was alive.
A nurse walked in and smiled. "You're lucky, madam. Many people can't afford this kind of surgery."
Serena nodded, wiping her eyes. "Yes… I'm really lucky."
But deep inside, she didn't feel lucky at all.
When she stepped outside the room, she saw Liam standing near the hospital entrance, talking to someone on the phone. He looked rich, confident, like he owned the world. He didn't see her at first.
She wanted to ignore him. But he turned and their eyes met.
Serena froze.
He walked towards her slowly, his face hard as usual.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
"My dad just finished surgery… I came to check on him," she said softly.
He scoffed. "So now you care about family?"
Serena looked away. "You don't have to be like this."
"I'll be however I want. Just don't bring shame to my family name in this hospital."
That one hurt. Serena held back tears and nodded. "Okay."
Liam turned and walked away without another word.
Serena stood there like a statue. She didn't know why he hated her this much. What did she ever do to him? Was it because of his ex? Or was he just like this naturally?
Later that day, when she got back to the mansion, Mrs. Isabella was waiting for her in the sitting room.
"How is your father?" she asked.
Serena smiled a little. "He's getting better, ma. Thank you so much."
Isabella nodded. "Good. You should rest now. And don't forget to act like a proper wife when we go for the business dinner tomorrow."
"Business dinner?"
"Yes. We're going to meet the investors. I want them to see that Liam is a responsible man with a stable family."
Serena bit her lip. She didn't want to go anywhere. But she knew she didn't have a choice.
"Okay, ma."
That night, she couldn't sleep. She kept thinking about Elliot, about her father, about Liam.
Suddenly, her phone beeped. A new message.
It was from a strange number again.
**"He doesn't love you. He never will."**
Her heart jumped.
Another message followed.
**"You will always be second place, Serena."**
She threw the phone on the bed.
Was this Vanessa?
Why couldn't they just leave her alone?
The next morning, a stylist came into her room to prepare her for the business dinner. They did her hair, makeup, and gave her a tight long gown. She looked like a proper rich wife now. But inside, she still felt like the same scared girl who had no choice.
Liam entered the living room dressed in black. His suit was clean, his watch was expensive, his face — cold as usual.
He looked at her once, then said, "Let's go."
She followed him silently to the car. No one spoke during the ride. The driver took them to a big hotel where the event was already going on.
Cameras flashed as they entered.
Serena tried to smile.
"Don't embarrass me," Liam whispered to her.
She nodded. "I won't."
The dinner was filled with powerful men and women. Business people, celebrities, reporters.
Everyone wanted to talk to Liam. Some women even tried to touch him. But he just smiled at them and held Serena's waist to show he was married.
That small touch shocked her.
Even if it was fake, it felt strange. She looked at his face but he didn't look at her once.
They sat at a round table with some older investors.
"So, this is your wife?" one of them asked.
Liam nodded. "Yes. Serena."
Serena smiled shyly. "Good evening, sir."
"Beautiful," the man said. "You chose well."
Liam smiled, fake of course. "Thanks."
As they talked about business, Serena just sat quietly, sipping juice. But then, something strange happened.
One of the waiters dropped a note beside her plate.
She opened it secretly.
**"We need to talk. Come to the garden behind the hotel. Now."**
No name.
Her heart started beating fast.
She looked around. Liam was busy talking. Isabella wasn't even at their table.
She stood up quietly and walked out.
The hotel garden was dark but beautiful. Flowers everywhere, soft music playing from inside. Then she saw someone standing under a tree.
Her eyes widened.
**Vanessa.**
Liam's ex.
"Why are you here?" Serena asked.
Vanessa smiled. She looked perfect. Long hair, red lips, high heels.
"I just wanted to see the girl who stole my place," she said coldly.
"I didn't steal anything. I didn't even want to marry Liam—"
"But you did," Vanessa snapped. "And now you're living my life."
Serena stepped back a little. "Look, I don't want trouble."
"You already have it, sweetheart. You think Liam will ever love you? I was his everything. He used to beg for my love. What do you think you are? A poor girl from nowhere."
Serena's hands shook. "Leave me alone."
Vanessa laughed. "Oh, I will. But just know this — I'm not done. This marriage of yours? It won't last."
She turned and walked away, her heels clicking on the tiles.
Serena stood there, heart racing.
Was this how her new life would be?
Hate. Threats. Fake smiles.
When she returned to the table, Liam looked at her once and asked, "Where did you go?"
"Bathroom," she said quietly.
He stared at her for a while, then nodded.
The dinner ended soon. On their way home, Serena sat quietly. Liam didn't say anything either.
But she knew something had changed.
That night, as she removed her earrings, she looked at herself in the mirror.
She was in a mansion.
Wearing gold.
Sleeping on silk.
But she felt empty.
Alone.
Unwanted.
---
At midnight, she got a message again.
**"You'll never be enough."**
---
She hugged her pillow tight and cried herself to sleep.
But she didn't know that someone was standing outside her door that night.
Liam.
Just standing.
Watching the door.
Listening to her cry.