Serena didn't sleep much that night. The moment she stepped into the mansion after the dinner party, she rushed to her room and locked the door. Her hands were shaking.
She removed her heels and threw them aside. Her heart was beating fast. Not from the party, but from that woman—Vanessa.
Vanessa's words refused to leave her head.
"Enjoy it while it lasts. He always comes back to me."
Who did she think she was? And why did Liam not explain anything? Was she telling the truth? Was Liam still seeing her?
Serena sat on the bed and hugged her knees. She felt like a visitor in her own life. Everything had changed too fast.
She stared at the ring on her finger. It didn't feel real. None of this did.
Her phone buzzed. It was a message from her mother.
"Your father is being taken to the hospital now. Surgery starts in the morning."
That message should've made her feel better. But it didn't. Not with the way she was feeling now.
The next morning, Serena woke up before sunrise. She rushed to the bathroom, cleaned up quickly, and got dressed in a simple long gown.
She tiptoed downstairs. She didn't want to see Liam. She still didn't know how to face him after last night.
But as she stepped into the kitchen, there he was—Liam—sitting at the table with a cup of coffee. He didn't look surprised to see her.
"Morning," he said coldly.
She nodded. "Morning."
He looked up. "Your father's surgery is today, right?"
She was surprised. She didn't think he remembered.
"Yes. This morning."
He stood up and grabbed his car keys. "Let's go. I'll drop you at the hospital."
Serena blinked. "You'll come with me?"
He frowned. "Don't make me change my mind. Get in the car."
They drove in silence. The whole ride, Serena kept thinking about what he said. He could be kind when he wanted to. But then he'd switch and become cold again. Like he was hiding his real self.
At the hospital, her mother was waiting at the entrance. She looked tired and worried.
"Serena! You came."
Serena rushed to her. "How is Daddy?"
"They took him in already. The doctors said everything should go well."
Serena nodded. She looked behind her. Liam was on his phone, standing beside the car.
"Is that your husband?" her mother asked.
Serena looked away. "Yes."
"Go thank him," her mother said. "He paid a lot for the surgery."
Serena didn't answer. She wasn't ready to forgive her mother yet.
She walked back to Liam. "Thank you for coming. You can go now."
He looked at her. "I'll wait until the surgery is over."
Serena was shocked. He wanted to wait? Why?
She nodded and sat down on the bench outside. Liam leaned on the car, scrolling through his phone.
Hours passed. Finally, the doctor came out.
"Family of Mr. Catarh?"
Serena and her mother rushed forward. "Yes, doctor. How is he?"
"The surgery went well. He's in recovery. You can see him later in the evening."
Serena felt like crying. She smiled and hugged her mother.
Her mother whispered, "God bless Liam."
Serena looked back at him. He wasn't even watching them. Just standing there, cold as ever.
They drove home after an hour. Liam didn't say anything. But Serena couldn't stop staring at him.
That night, she was still thinking about him when she heard a knock.
*Knock knock.*
"Come in," she said softly.
The door opened. Liam stepped in.
Serena stood. "You?"
He looked around. "You're my wife. You don't have to act like I'm a stranger."
She didn't know what to say.
He stepped closer. "My mom said we should be living like a couple. That means sharing a room. Sharing a bed."
Serena took a step back. "But we're not really married. Not in love. You know that."
Liam's face hardened. "It doesn't matter. What matters is what people believe. And you agreed to this marriage. You don't get to set rules now."
Serena's chest tightened. "Fine. You can stay. But don't touch me."
He smirked. "Don't flatter yourself. I'm not interested in touching you."
He grabbed a pillow from the bed and lay on the couch.
Serena stared at him in the dark. Her husband. A stranger. Cold. Confusing. Dangerous.
Her heart was heavy. Her body was tired. But sleep didn't come easy.
In the darkness, Liam suddenly spoke.
"Stay away from Vanessa. She's poison."
Serena turned to him. "She said you still love her."
He didn't answer.
And that silence was louder than any lie.