The next morning in the mansion was quiet. Serena woke up before the sun fully rose. She couldn't sleep well. Her mind was full. She sat near the window, thinking about her life, this strange house, and the man she now lived with.
Everything still felt like a dream.
Her father was getting better. The surgery was already paid for. But instead of being happy, her heart felt heavy.
She was angry.
Angry at her mother for selling her.
Angry at herself for agreeing to the marriage.
Angry that she was now part of a rich man's life, yet felt more alone than ever.
She heard a knock on the door.
"Come in," she said quietly.
It was one of the housemaids.
"Good morning, ma," the girl greeted. "Sir Liam said you should get dressed. He wants you to go with him today."
Serena frowned. "Go where?"
"I don't know, ma. He just said you should wear something nice."
Serena gave a small nod, and the girl left.
She stood up and walked to the small wardrobe in her room. Most of her clothes were too simple. She picked a clean blue dress and combed her hair neatly.
She didn't wear any makeup. She didn't feel like pretending.
When she came downstairs, Liam was already waiting near the main door. He wore a dark shirt and simple trousers. He looked serious.
"Ready?" he asked.
She nodded. "Yes."
They didn't speak in the car. Just silence between them as the driver took them through the busy streets.
Serena kept looking through the window.
After about thirty minutes, they stopped in front of a fancy building.
Serena blinked. "Where is this?"
Liam got out. "Come."
She followed him inside. The receptionist smiled at them.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Liam. Suite 507 is ready."
Serena followed silently, confused.
The elevator took them up to the fifth floor. Then they walked into a well-furnished lounge. It had a couch, fresh flowers, and soft lights.
"What are we doing here?" she asked.
Liam sat on the couch and looked at her.
"I need you to help me with something."
She raised her brow. "Help you?"
"Yes," he said. "There's a dinner tonight. A big one. My family friends are coming to town. They're important people. Very traditional. They believe in love, in real marriage."
She didn't speak.
"They know I got married. They want to see my wife. They don't like lies. They're old-school," he continued.
"So you want me to act like we're in love?" she asked slowly.
"Yes. Just for tonight," he said.
Serena crossed her arms. "And if I refuse?"
Liam looked at her. "You won't."
She looked away.
He was right.
She had nowhere to run to.
And deep down, she still felt like she owed him. Even if she didn't want to admit it.
"Fine," she said.
---
Later that evening, Serena stood in front of a full-length mirror.
Liam had sent a stylist to dress her. She wore a classy green gown. Her hair was styled into soft curls. Light makeup covered her face. She barely recognized herself.
The stylist smiled. "You look perfect."
Serena gave a small smile.
When she stepped out, Liam was waiting by the car. He looked at her quietly for a few seconds.
"You clean up well," he said.
Serena rolled her eyes. "Whatever."
They drove to a private restaurant. Everything there looked expensive and neat. A quiet piano played in the background.
Mr. and Mrs. Alden were already seated when they arrived.
"Liam!" the older man stood and hugged him. "My boy!"
"Good evening, sir," Liam greeted warmly.
Serena shook hands with them and smiled politely.
"This must be the wife," Mrs. Alden said, looking at Serena closely.
Liam held Serena's hand gently. "Yes. This is Serena."
Serena smiled and leaned into him like she was supposed to.
They sat, and the waiter brought wine and food.
"You two look beautiful together," Mrs. Alden said.
"Thank you," Serena said.
"She's calm," Mr. Alden said to Liam. "That's good. You need someone calm after that mess with Vanessa."
Serena noticed the change in Liam's face. But he stayed polite.
"We're happy now," Liam said. "She gives me peace."
Serena almost laughed. Peace? Really?
But she smiled and touched his hand gently, playing along.
Dinner went on with questions. How they met. How they fell in love. Liam made up most of the answers. Serena followed smoothly.
At some point, he said, "I saw her at an event. She was helping kids. I knew she was the one."
Serena looked at him with surprise. He was lying so easily.
Mrs. Alden sighed happily. "You see, real love still exists."
Serena forced a smile.
She kept wondering... was Liam always this good at lying?
---
After dinner, they walked back to the car.
Liam opened the door for her. She entered quietly.
They were halfway home before Serena spoke.
"You were good back there," she said.
"I told you I would be," he replied.
She looked at him. "Do you lie often?"
He glanced at her. "No. But when I do, I do it well."
She didn't say anything.
When they got back to the mansion, Serena went straight to her room. But something didn't feel right. She turned back and walked to the living room where Liam was taking off his jacket.
"Why did you really bring me tonight?" she asked.
"I told you."
"No. I mean really," she said.
Liam sat down slowly.
"Because they were going to decide if they'd invest in my next project. And if they thought I was still broken... they'd walk away."
"So you used me."
He looked at her. "And you used me too. Your dad's surgery, remember?"
She froze.
He stood. "We both got something out of this."
She nodded slowly.
Then he said something she didn't expect.
"But tonight... when you smiled at me... I almost believed it."
She looked up.
He walked past her, heading upstairs.
Serena stood there, confused and a little shaken.
Almost believed it?
What did he mean?
Was he starting to feel something?
She didn't want to think about it.
But she did.
Long after she climbed into bed, his words kept ringing in her head.
And the worst part?
She didn't know if she believed it too.
To be continued…