chapter 7

As they left the wedding reception, Tonia felt a sense of awkwardness wash over her. She had no idea where she was going or what to expect. Liam's driver, a stern-looking man with a expressionless face, was behind the wheel.

"Where are we going?" Tonia asked, trying to break the silence.

Liam, sitting beside her, replied in a relaxed but cold tone, "Home."

Tonia hesitated, unsure of what to do. "Can we visit my mom instead? I want to check on her."

But before Liam could respond, the driver intervened, "I'm afraid it's not a good timing, miss. There are a lot of paparazzi outside the hospital. You can always visit her tomorrow."

Tonia sighed, feeling a pang of concern for her mother. As soon as they arrived at Liam's home, she decided to call the hospital immediately.

The car eventually stopped in front of a grand, exclusive mansion, its gates opening with a soft hum. The driver led them inside, where Tonia was greeted by a sea of maids, all dressed in crisp uniforms.

Tonia was shocked and bewildered by the sheer number of staff. "Welcome, Mrs. Anderson ," they chimed in unison, curtsying slightly.

Liam's home was a marvel of opulence, with crystal chandeliers, marble floors, and lavish furnishings. Tonia felt like she had entered a different world, one that was far removed from her humble village life.

As the maids swarmed around her, offering to take her coat and bag, Tonia felt overwhelmed. She had never seen such luxury before, and it made her feel uneasy.

Liam, seemingly oblivious to her discomfort, gestured to a maid. "Show my wife to her room. She must be tired."

Tonia followed the maid, her mind reeling with thoughts of her mother and this new life she had entered. The maid led her to a lavish bedroom, complete with a four-poster bed and a stunning view of the gardens.

As the maid helped her unpack, Tonia couldn't help but feel like a stranger in a strange land. She was married to a man she barely knew, surrounded by opulence and excess. And yet, she couldn't shake off the feeling that she didn't belong here.

Tonia stepped into the lavish bathroom, surrounded by marble floors and walls, and a crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling. She showered, feeling the warm water wash away the stress and anxiety of the day. The showerhead poured down a gentle rain of water, soothing her tense muscles and calming her mind.

As she shampooed her hair, Tonia's thoughts drifted to her mother, lying unconscious in the hospital bed. She couldn't wait to see her, to hold her hand and tell her everything would be alright.

After her shower, Tonia wrapped herself in a plush towel and made her way to the bedside table, where her phone lay waiting. She dialed the hospital's number, her heart racing with anticipation.

"Hello, how is my mother doing?" she asked the doctor, trying to keep her voice steady.

"Your mother is still unconscious, but stable," the doctor replied, his voice reassuring. "We're doing everything we can to ensure her recovery."

Tonia breathed a sigh of relief, thanking the doctor for the update. "I'll visit her tomorrow," she promised, making a mental note to clear her schedule.

As she hung up the phone, Tonia's gaze fell upon the magnificent bed, a true masterpiece of comfort and design. The four-poster bed stood tall, its plush, velvet drapes a deep, rich red, and its soft, feather mattress inviting her to sink in and relax.

The bed was adorned with intricate carvings, depicting scenes of love and passion, and luxurious linens, soft as silk to the touch. A delicate lace canopy hung above, filtering the light and casting a warm glow over the room.

Tonia felt like a queen, climbing into the bed, surrounded by such opulence and luxury. She lay back, her head sinking into the pillow, and her body relaxing into the mattress.

But as she settled in, Tonia's head was clouded with thoughts of her fake marriage and the life that lay ahead. She wondered what Liam's expectations were, how she would navigate this new world, and what the future held.

Would she be able to keep up the charade, or would she crack under the pressure? Would Liam ever grow to love her, or would their marriage remain a sham?

Despite her racing thoughts, Tonia's eyelids grew heavy, and she soon drifted off to sleep, exhausted from the day's events. She didn't even notice the soft, silky pillow cradling her head or the gentle rustle of the drapes in the breeze.

As she slept, Tonia was unaware of the luxurious surroundings, the opulent decorations, or the lavish lifestyle that came with being Liam's wife. All she knew was the comfort of the bed and the darkness of her own uncertain future.

As Tonia slept, Liam sat in his study, his mind racing with thoughts of his grandfather's words. He picked up the phone and dialed a number, waiting for his assistant, Roland, to answer.

"Roland, I need to see you," Liam said, his voice low and urgent.

Roland arrived promptly, his expression curious. "What is it, sir?"

Liam leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together. "My grandfather spoke to me three days ago during our family dinner. He warned me about my uncle and aunts, how they're plotting to take the company from me."

Roland's eyes narrowed. "What did he say exactly?"

Liam's expression turned grim. "He said they're trying to undermine me, to make me look incompetent. He told me I need to be careful, that I need to protect the company at all costs."

Roland's face turned thoughtful. "And what do you plan to do, sir?"

Liam sighed, rubbing his temples. "I don't know, Roland. I feel like I'm being pulled in so many directions. My grandfather wants me to focus on the company, to make sure it stays in the family. But my uncle and aunts...they're like vultures, waiting for me to slip up so they can pounce."

Roland's expression turned sympathetic. "Sir, you can't let them get to you. You need to stay focused, stay calm. We'll figure out a way to deal with them, together."

Liam nodded, feeling a small sense of relief. "I know, Roland. It's just...sometimes I feel like I'm losing myself in all of this. Like I'm just a pawn in a much bigger game."

Roland's voice was soft. "You're not a pawn, sir. You're the future of this company. And I'll be here, every step of the way, to help you navigate it."

The two men sat there for a moment, the only sound the ticking of the clock.

As Roland left, Liam felt a pang of loneliness wash over him. He had always been good at hiding his emotions, at putting on a mask of confidence and control. But deep down, he was struggling.

He walked over to the window, staring out at the city below. He felt trapped, trapped in a life he didn't want, trapped in a marriage that was already suffocating him.

Liam's mind wandered back to his conversation with Roland. They had talked about business, about the company and its future. But Liam's heart wasn't in it. He was just going through the motions, pretending to care.

What he really wanted was solace. He wanted someone to talk to, someone to confide in. But he didn't know who to turn to.

His parents and Sister was the only family member that cares about him , but they were the ones who had pushed Liam into this marriage in the first place. And Tonia...Tonia was a stranger, a woman he had married for convenience, not love.

Liam felt a lump form in his throat as he thought about his situation. He was alone, truly alone, for the first time in his life.

He took a deep breath, trying to shake off the feeling of sadness that had settled over him. He needed to be strong, needed to keep up the facade.

But as he turned away from the window, he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. For a moment, he saw the real Liam, the one he hid from the world. The one who was scared, lonely, and unsure of what the future held.

Liam's eyes dropped, unable to meet his own gaze. He didn't know how much longer he could keep this up, how much longer he could pretend to be someone he wasn't.