Liam stared at the laptop screen in his office, trying to focus, but his mind was elsewhere. Everything felt so noisy inside his head. Work didn't excite him the way it used to. And even though he acted like Serena didn't exist, she somehow filled his thoughts more than he liked.
A knock on the office door broke the silence.
He didn't look up. "Come in."
The door opened, and in walked the last person he wanted to see.
"Vanessa?" he said, his face tight.
Vanessa closed the door behind her and stepped forward in her tall red heels. Her makeup was light, her hair perfectly curled. She wore a slim black dress that hugged her curves.
"I didn't come to cause trouble," she said in a soft voice.
Liam leaned back in his chair, arms folded. "Then leave now. Because your presence already feels like trouble."
"Please, Liam," she begged, "just let me explain—"
"Explain?" he cut in coldly. "Explain how you cheated on me with a celebrity? Explain how you humiliated me in front of the whole world?"
Her eyes watered, but she kept moving forward. "I made a mistake. I was young. Stupid. I thought I wanted a life of fame and lights. But it didn't mean anything without you."
Liam stood up slowly.
"Don't even think about playing the emotional game," he said, voice hard. "You were the woman I planned my future with. And you threw that future away for some guy who sings in clubs."
Vanessa flinched. "It didn't mean anything, I swear."
He shook his head. "But it meant something to me, Vanessa. You broke my trust. Do you know how long it took me to even let someone near me again?"
She looked away.
He continued, "And now, when my mother forces me into marriage with someone I barely know, someone innocent... someone who didn't ask for this... you suddenly remember me?"
Vanessa's eyes shot back to him. "You care about her?"
"I didn't say that," Liam snapped. "But I will never return to a woman who stabbed me in the back. You lost me the day you let another man kiss you."
Vanessa stepped closer. "Liam, I'm sorry. But I still love you."
"I don't love you," Liam said simply.
The words landed like a slap. Vanessa's hands trembled slightly.
He walked around his desk and opened the door. "Get out."
"Liam... please."
"I said get out."
Vanessa stood still, trying to keep her pride together.
"Fine," she whispered. "But you'll regret this."
"No," Liam said coldly. "I already regret letting you in."
Vanessa walked out, heels tapping softly against the floor. Liam shut the door behind her and leaned his head against it for a second. He took a deep breath and walked back to his desk.
---
Later that evening, Serena sat on the edge of the bed in the guest room. Her eyes were glued to her phone, scrolling through pictures of her father.
The surgery was coming soon. Her father had been moved to a private hospital, and the doctors were hopeful.
She sighed, whispering to herself, "Just hold on a little longer, Dad."
Suddenly, her phone lit up with a message from her mom.
"Don't forget to act like a proper wife when his mom visits tomorrow."
Serena rolled her eyes. "Act like a proper wife?" she mumbled. "You mean act like a sold item."
She threw the phone on the bed and stood up.
Just then, Liam walked into the room. His face looked stiff and tired.
She straightened up. "You could knock, you know."
He didn't answer. He walked past her and opened the closet, pulling out a shirt.
"Rough day at work?" she asked, trying to sound normal.
He looked at her. "What do you care?"
Serena frowned. "I don't. Just being polite."
He scoffed. "Save your politeness. I don't need it."
She rolled her eyes and turned away, biting her lip. "Whatever."
But then, Liam did something that surprised her.
"Vanessa came by today," he said flatly.
Serena froze for a second.
"She begged to come back," he added.
"Oh." That was all she could say.
"I threw her out."
Serena turned around slowly. "Why are you telling me this?"
"I don't know," Liam muttered. "Maybe because I feel weird."
She looked at him carefully. "Weird how?"
He sat on the edge of the bed, elbows on his knees.
"I don't feel anything anymore," he said quietly. "Even seeing her... it didn't spark anything. No anger, no love. Just emptiness."
Serena swallowed hard. "Sounds like you're broken."
He laughed dryly. "Yeah. Maybe I am."
There was silence for a moment. Then Serena walked to the door.
"I'm going downstairs," she said. "Want anything?"
He shook his head.
She left quietly.
---
Downstairs, Serena made tea and sat by the window in the kitchen. She was deep in thought when her phone buzzed again. This time, it was a message from Clara.
"Hey girl, how are you holding up? Hope that rich man hasn't bitten your head off yet."
Serena smiled a little and replied:
"Still alive. Barely. He's colder than a fridge."
Clara replied instantly:
"Give him time. He might be the fridge that warms up."
Serena shook her head, laughing softly. Then she paused.
"Vanessa visited him today."
Clara's response came quickly.
"The ex? What did she want?"
"To come back to him."
"And...?"
"He rejected her."
Clara sent a shocked response.
"That's serious. Maybe he's slowly falling for you?"
Serena stared at the screen. Slowly falling for her? No. That couldn't be.
"I don't think so. He said he feels nothing. Not even hate."
Clara replied:
"Then you better not catch feelings. Be smart."
Serena dropped the phone and sipped her tea.
Smart.
She had to be smart.
---
The next morning, Mrs. Isabella arrived at the mansion with two assistants. She had a proud smile and a sharp tongue, as usual.
"My daughter-in-law," she called out, stepping into the living room. "Come here."
Serena walked over slowly, wearing a simple blue dress. She bowed slightly. "Good morning, ma."
Isabella smiled tightly. "Still learning how to be a good wife, I see."
Serena didn't answer. She forced a smile.
"Where's Liam?" Isabella asked.
"Upstairs. Getting ready."
Just then, Liam came down the stairs in a white shirt and black pants. He looked surprisingly calm.
"Mom," he greeted.
"Liam, my son." She hugged him tightly. "You look better than last week."
Liam smiled lightly. "Must be the home-cooked food."
Isabella looked at Serena. "So, you're cooking now?"
"I try," Serena said softly.
"Good. A wife should know her place."
Liam frowned. "Mom—"
But Isabella cut him off. "I didn't mean it badly. Just saying the truth."
Liam glanced at Serena and saw the hurt in her eyes.
He looked back at his mom. "We'll talk later."
Isabella waved her hand. "Fine, fine. I came to drop some business files anyway. I won't stay long."
After she left, Serena sat back on the couch and stared at nothing.
Liam joined her.
"She's always like that," he said. "Don't take it personal."
"I'm used to being insulted," Serena said quietly.
Liam looked at her for a moment. "You don't deserve that."
Serena turned to him in surprise.
"What?"
"Nothing," he said, getting up quickly. "I have to get back to work."
And just like that, he was gone again.
But his words stayed with her.
---
Serena lay awake that night, replaying his voice in her head.
"You don't deserve that."
Why did it sound like the first kind thing he had ever said?
Was he really just cold?
Or was he hiding something warmer underneath?
She didn't know yet.
But she was starting to care.
And that scared her more than anything.
To be continued…