Serena sat alone in the guest room, staring at the empty wall. Everything around her looked so expensive. The curtains, the soft bed, the glowing chandelier above her head... it all screamed wealth. But none of it made her happy. It wasn't her home. She didn't want to be here.
She was now a wife to a total stranger.
Her chest felt heavy. She pulled her knees to her chest and rested her chin on them. The only good thing right now was that her father was finally going to have the surgery. That made her smile a little. At least he would be okay. That thought gave her a tiny bit of peace.
But still... she was angry. Angry at her mother. Angry at the way she was sold like a piece of furniture. How could her own mother do this to her?
A soft knock came at the door.
Serena didn't answer.
After a few seconds, the door opened anyway. It was Mrs. Isabella Steel, her mother-in-law.
"There's no need to sulk, Serena," the older woman said as she walked in. Her heels clicked against the marble floor. "You agreed to this marriage. And you will act like a wife in this house."
Serena didn't reply. She didn't even look up.
"Dinner will be served soon. Dress properly and come down," Isabella added, turning to leave.
Serena finally spoke, her voice low but firm. "I didn't agree to this. I was forced."
Isabella turned slightly. "Your father is alive because of us. Don't forget that." Then she walked out without another word.
Tears stung Serena's eyes again. She hated feeling weak, but this wasn't the life she had wanted. Her dreams were crushed all in one day.
She stood up and walked to the window. Outside, the sun was setting, painting the sky orange and pink. It should've been a beautiful view, but all she could feel was trapped.
---
Downstairs, Liam Steel sat in his home office, typing away on his laptop. He looked calm, but his mind wasn't at peace. His life was now tied to a girl he barely knew.
His mother had forced this marriage on him just to protect the company. Apparently, his father wanted to hand the business to his younger brother, just because he was married. His father believed that being married made a man more "responsible."
What a joke.
So, now Liam had a wife. A girl who didn't even belong in his world.
He looked at his phone. A new message from Vanessa. Again.
*"Are you really married now? Tell me this is a joke, Liam. You can't replace me that easily."*
Liam stared at the message but didn't reply. Instead, he deleted it. He was done with Vanessa. She had broken his heart once, and he wasn't going back.
A knock came on his door.
It was the butler. "Sir, madam is getting ready for dinner. Should we wait for you?"
Liam sighed. "No. I'll be down soon."
---
Serena finally came down for dinner. She had changed into a simple black dress. It wasn't too fancy, but it fit her nicely. Her hair was still loose, and her eyes were a little red.
She saw Liam already seated at the dining table, looking like a man carved out of stone. He didn't even glance at her.
Mrs. Isabella was there too, sipping from a wine glass like she owned the world.
Serena sat at the far end of the table. No one spoke for a long time.
The food was delicious, but Serena barely touched it. Her appetite was gone.
"You should eat," Isabella finally said. "You're going to need energy to be a good wife."
Serena looked up. "A good wife or a good puppet?"
Liam looked at her now. Just one sharp glance, but it was enough to silence her.
Isabella gave a fake smile. "You can have opinions, Serena. But don't forget who's saving your father's life."
Serena pushed her plate away. "Can I go now?"
"No," Liam said suddenly. His voice was deep and cold.
Serena's eyes widened.
"You're my wife now. And that means you'll sit at this table with us. You'll eat. You'll behave."
"I'm not your prisoner," she snapped.
"You're not free either," he replied calmly, picking up his wine glass.
Serena's hands shook under the table.
---
Later that night, Serena lay in the large guest bed, staring at the ceiling. She couldn't sleep. Everything felt wrong. Her father was in the hospital, her boyfriend had disappeared from her life, and now she was stuck in this cold mansion with strangers.
Her phone buzzed.
A message from Elliot.
Her heart jumped. She sat up quickly and opened it.
*"So it's true. You actually married him. For money. Wow, Serena. I thought you were different."*
Her heart sank.
*"Elliot please it's not what you think. My mom forced me to. My dad is sick. I didn't have a choice."* she typed quickly.
But he had already sent another message.
*"Don't text me again. You're cheap. Just another gold-digger. I hope the money was worth it."*
Tears filled Serena's eyes. She tried calling him, but he declined the call.
She called again. No answer.
She dropped the phone on the bed and buried her face in her hands.
How did her life become this mess?
All she wanted was to be happy. To have a simple life with the man she loved. But now, even Elliot had turned his back on her.
The door creaked open.
Serena wiped her tears quickly and sat up. Liam stood at the door.
"What do you want?" she asked.
He looked at her, his expression unreadable. "Stop crying over that loser. He doesn't deserve your tears."
Serena frowned. "You read my messages?"
"No," he said. "But I can hear you crying through the walls."
She looked away.
"You chose this life," Liam added.
"I didn't choose anything!" she shouted. "You think I wanted this marriage? I was forced! My father is dying, and my mother sold me to your family like I was nothing!"
Liam stepped closer. "And you think you're the only one who was forced? You think I wanted this?"
She looked up at him, surprised.
"I had someone too," he said. "But my mother didn't care. All she wanted was to fix the company image. So don't think you're the only victim here."
Serena blinked.
He turned to leave. "Get some sleep. We're going out tomorrow. And don't be late."
"Out?" she asked.
He didn't answer. The door closed behind him.
---
Serena lay back down. Her tears had stopped, but her chest still ached.
She thought she had nothing in common with Liam. But now, she realized... maybe he was just as trapped as she was.
Still, that didn't mean she could trust him. He was cold, rude, and distant. But maybe... just maybe... there was more to him than she thought.
She didn't know what tomorrow would bring. But whatever it was, she had to be strong.
Because she was now Serena Steel.
Even if it didn't feel like it yet.