The Past

Days passed in uneasy silence. Elena tried to bury her pain, throwing herself into keeping the house immaculate, preparing Liam's favorite meals, and perfecting the role of the supportive wife. She convinced herself that if she was good enough, if she was perfect enough, his family would finally accept her, and Liam would see that she belonged by his side.

But the ache lingered, a hollow echo that followed her through the house.

One evening, as she cleared the dinner table, she heard Liam's muffled voice from his office. She paused, her hand tightening around the plate. His tone was warm, relaxed—different from how he'd been with her lately.

Curiosity gnawed at her, and before she could stop herself, she moved closer, the door slightly ajar.

"Yeah... I remember that place. We should definitely go back sometime," Liam was saying, his laughter light and easy. "Those were good times, Marissa."

Elena's heart froze, her blood running cold. Marissa. The name hung in the air, heavy and sharp. She knew it well—the ex-girlfriend his family seemed to worship. The one his mother never missed an opportunity to mention, the one Victoria had so cruelly compared her to.

Her chest tightened, and she forced herself to keep listening, her pulse thudding in her ears.

"I'm glad you called," Liam continued, his voice soft. "I always have time for you. You know that."

Elena's stomach twisted, a sickening wave of nausea rolling through her. She gripped the doorframe, struggling to breathe. He hadn't mentioned Marissa in months, not since before their wedding. He had told her it was over, that Marissa was in his past.

Then why was he still talking to her?

Why was he laughing with her, sharing memories?

Elena stumbled back, her vision blurring. She couldn't listen anymore. She fled to the bedroom, her heart shattering with every step.

She sank onto the bed, her fingers trembling as she clutched her chest, trying to hold herself together. The doubts she had been fighting to suppress came rushing back, sharper and more vicious than ever.

You'll never be good enough.

You'll never compare to her.

He didn't choose you. He settled for you.

Hot tears spilled down her cheeks, and she buried her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking. She thought about confronting him, demanding an explanation, but fear held her back. Fear of hearing the truth, of confirming that she was second-best.

When Liam finally came to bed, Elena pretended to be asleep, her body stiff as he slipped under the covers beside her. He reached out, his hand resting on her back, his touch warm and familiar.

But it felt like a lie. Like a cruel reminder of everything she was losing.

The next day, she tried to shake it off, convincing herself that she was overreacting. He had promised to love her, to be faithful. Maybe Marissa was just a friend now, a part of his past that lingered.

But the doubt wouldn't leave her, festering like a wound she couldn't heal. And the more she thought about it, the more she realized she needed to face her fear. She needed to see Marissa for herself.

So she made the boldest decision she could—she invited Marissa to dinner.

Liam looked at her in shock when she mentioned it. "You... want to have Marissa over?"

Elena forced a smile, her voice steady even as her heart raced. "Why not? You said you're just friends. I want to meet her, to get to know her."

His eyes searched hers, wary and uncertain. "Elena... you don't have to do this."

"I want to," she insisted, her tone firm. "If she's important to you, then she should be important to me too."

Liam hesitated before nodding. "Alright... I'll ask her."

The night of the dinner arrived, and Elena dressed carefully, choosing a modest but elegant dress, her hair styled to perfection. She wanted to look confident, composed. She needed to look like the wife who had nothing to fear.

But the moment she opened the door and saw Marissa standing there, every ounce of her confidence shattered.

Marissa was breathtaking. Her long, honey-blonde hair fell in perfect waves, her makeup flawless, her figure slender and graceful. She wore a designer dress that hugged her curves, exuding sophistication and poise.

And then there was the familiarity—the way she hugged Liam, laughing at some inside joke, her hand lingering on his arm. The way his eyes softened when he looked at her, a flicker of nostalgia crossing his face.

Elena felt like an outsider in her own home.

She forced herself to smile, to welcome Marissa graciously, to play the role of the perfect hostess. She served dinner, joining in the conversation, even laughing at Marissa's charming anecdotes. But every word felt hollow, every smile painful.

She watched Liam with his ex, noting the ease between them, the way they spoke without hesitation, finishing each other's sentences. It was as if no time had passed, as if they were still the perfect couple everyone had once admired.

As the evening wore on, Elena's heart sank deeper. She was trying so hard to be the wife Liam needed, to prove that she was worthy of his love. But sitting across from Marissa, she felt painfully inadequate, hopelessly outmatched.

When Marissa finally left, Liam turned to Elena, his eyes warm. "Thank you for tonight. It meant a lot to me."

Elena managed a weak smile, nodding. "Of course. I just... I want you to be happy."

His face softened, and he pulled her into a hug. "I am happy. With you."

But as she clung to him, her face buried in his shoulder, the doubt wouldn't leave her. His words were sweet, but his heart... was it really hers? Or did a part of it still belong to the woman who seemed to fit so perfectly into his life?

Elena closed her eyes, holding back the tears. She had let Marissa into her home, into her marriage, hoping to prove to herself that she had nothing to fear. But all she had found were shadows of the past that refused to let go.

And as she stood in Liam's embrace, she felt more alone than ever.

That night, sleep eluded Elena. She lay beside Liam, her back turned to him as she stared at the wall, her mind replaying every moment of the evening. She thought about Marissa's laughter, the way her eyes sparkled when she reminisced about old memories with Liam.

She thought about the ease between them, the unspoken understanding, the familiarity that had made Elena feel like an intruder in her own marriage.

Beside her, Liam's breathing was steady, his arm draped over her waist in a gesture of possessiveness that once made her feel cherished. But now, it felt suffocating, a reminder of the doubts twisting inside her.

She slipped out of bed quietly, not wanting to wake him. The house was dark and silent, shadows stretching across the walls as she made her way to the kitchen. She poured herself a glass of water, her fingers trembling as she brought it to her lips.

The memory of Marissa's voice lingered, sweet and melodic, echoing in her mind. "It's so wonderful to see you again, Liam. It feels just like old times."

Elena's chest tightened, a knot forming in her throat. She gripped the edge of the counter, her knuckles turning white. How could she compete with a history she wasn't a part of?

The thought was haunting, a cold whisper that followed her through the empty house. She tried to shake it off, reminding herself that Liam chose her. He married her. But then she remembered the look in his eyes—the flicker of nostalgia when Marissa spoke about the places they'd been, the things they used to do.

Did he still love her?The question made her knees weak, her heart pounding painfully. She slid to the floor, her back against the cold cabinets, her fingers digging into her thighs as she tried to breathe. The doubts were suffocating, wrapping around her like vines, tightening with every heartbeat.

She was losing herself. Losing the confident woman she used to be, the woman who believed in love and promises.

And all because of Marissa.

A surge of anger flashed through her, hot and fierce. It wasn't fair. She had done everything right. She had sacrificed her career, her independence, her dreams, all to be Liam's perfect wife. She had tried to please his family, to be the daughter-in-law they wanted. She had given up so much, and yet... it still wasn't enough.

Her vision blurred with tears, and she hugged her knees to her chest, burying her face. She hated feeling this way—weak, vulnerable, desperate.

But most of all, she hated herself for letting Marissa get under her skin.

The sound of footsteps startled her, and she looked up to see Liam standing in the doorway, his silhouette illuminated by the faint glow from the hallway. His eyes widened in concern. "Elena? What are you doing down here?"

She quickly wiped her tears, forcing a smile. "I... I couldn't sleep. Just needed some water."

Liam stepped closer, his gaze softening. "You should've woken me up." He sat beside her on the floor, his shoulder brushing against hers. "Are you okay?"

The concern in his voice made her heart ache. She wanted to tell him everything—to pour out her fears, her insecurities, her pain. But the words wouldn't come. She was too afraid of his response, too scared to hear that her worst fears were true.

Instead, she leaned her head on his shoulder, her voice barely a whisper. "I just... I guess I'm a little overwhelmed."

Liam wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer. "I know things have been crazy lately... with my family and everything. I'm sorry if it's been too much."

Elena closed her eyes, savoring the warmth of his embrace, wishing it could chase away the shadows haunting her. "It's not your fault."

He kissed the top of her head, his voice gentle. "I love you, Elena. Only you."

Her heart twisted, torn between wanting to believe him and the doubts gnawing at her. "Promise?"

Liam pulled back, his eyes searching hers. "I promise. You're my wife, my partner. No one else matters."

For a moment, the darkness lifted, her heart daring to hope. But then she remembered Marissa's smile, the way she had looked at Liam with such familiarity, such confidence.

No one else matters. Then why was Marissa still in his life?

She swallowed hard, pushing the question away. She didn't want to fight, not now. Not when she finally felt close to him again.

So she leaned into his touch, letting herself believe the lie, if only for a little while.

Liam helped her back to bed, holding her close as they lay together. His warmth was comforting, his heartbeat steady against her back. But even as he whispered words of love, Elena felt a chill run through her, the shadows refusing to let go.

Because she knew the truth.No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't erase the past. She couldn't compete with memories. And she couldn't silence the voice inside her that kept asking...

Was his heart truly hers? Or did it still belong to the woman who had come back to haunt them?

Elena closed her eyes, tears slipping silently down her cheeks. She didn't have the answer.

The days that followed were laced with silent fears and unspoken words. Elena tried to move past the dinner, to forget Marissa's presence and the insecurities it had stirred. She busied herself around the house, throwing herself into chores and errands, hoping the routine would drown out her doubts.But no matter how hard she tried, the memories lingered. Marissa's laughter echoed in her mind, the way her hand had casually touched Liam's arm as she leaned in to whisper a joke. It was the familiarity that hurt the most—the ease with which she fit into his life, a piece of his past that Elena could never touch.

She found herself overanalyzing everything. Every phone call Liam received, every text that made his face light up with a smile—she wondered if it was Marissa. If they were still talking, still sharing secrets that Elena was never a part of.

One afternoon, as she folded laundry, she heard his voice from the hallway. He was on the phone, his tone light, teasing. She paused, her hands freezing mid-fold as she listened.

"Yeah, I remember that," he was saying, his laughter warm and familiar. "You were always better at that than me."

Elena's heart sank. She knew that tone, that playful affection. It was the way he spoke to Marissa at dinner, the way he used to talk to her when they first started dating.

She crept closer, standing just outside his office door, her breath held. She hated herself for eavesdropping, but she needed to know.There was a pause, and then Liam's voice softened. "No, Elena doesn't mind... Yeah, she's great. I'm lucky."

Elena's chest tightened, her stomach twisting painfully. I'm lucky. The words were sweet, but they felt like a consolation prize, a second-place ribbon.

Why was he talking about her to his ex? Why was he even talking to Marissa at all?

She quickly moved away from the door as his footsteps approached, pretending to be busy with the laundry when he walked into the room. Liam leaned against the doorway, his smile warm. "Hey, beautiful."

She forced herself to smile back. "Hey. Who was that?"

His expression didn't change. "Just a friend."

The lie cut through her like a blade. He was keeping it from her. Why?

She wanted to confront him, to demand answers. But fear held her back. Fear of his reaction, fear of the truth, fear of driving him away.

So she swallowed her hurt, her anger, her jealousy, and nodded. "Oh, okay."

But the tension didn't leave her shoulders. Even as Liam came over to kiss her, to wrap his arms around her, she felt a distance between them, a cold barrier she couldn't cross.

That night, as they lay in bed, she watched his face as he slept, peaceful and untroubled. Her heart ached with love and fear, twisting painfully in her chest. She wanted to trust him, to believe in his promises. But the shadows wouldn't let her.

They whispered to her, cruel and persistent. He's hiding something. He doesn't trust you. He doesn't love you enough to be honest.

Elena squeezed her eyes shut, forcing the tears back. She wanted to be stronger than this, more secure, more confident. But doubt was a poison, seeping into her thoughts, poisoning her mind.

She turned away from him, curling into herself as the tears finally broke free. She cried silently, her shoulders trembling as she held her breath to keep from waking him.

Her heart felt heavy, weighed down by insecurities and fears she couldn't voice. She wanted to reach out, to tell him everything, but she was too afraid.

Afraid that he would confirm her worst fears. Afraid that she would lose him.

Because even though she was his wife, even though he had promised her forever...

Elena couldn't shake the feeling that Marissa still had a piece of him. A piece that would never truly be hers.

Days turned into weeks, and the shadows continued to grow, wrapping themselves around Elena's heart. She tried to silence them, to convince herself that she was overthinking things, but the unease lingered, whispering doubts she couldn't ignore.

Liam remained warm and attentive, his affection seemingly genuine, but Elena saw the cracks beneath the surface. The way he'd quickly tuck his phone away when she entered the room, or how he'd suddenly excuse himself to take a call in private. He always had explanations—work, old friends, harmless conversations—but Elena's trust was fraying.

One afternoon, as she cleaned the house, she found herself standing in his office. The room was neat, his desk organized, the laptop closed. She hesitated, guilt gnawing at her conscience, but the need for answers overpowered her hesitation.

Her hands trembled as she powered on his laptop. She knew his password—it was their anniversary date, a gesture that once made her feel special. Now, it felt like a cruel joke.

The screen lit up, and she navigated to his messages, her heart pounding so loudly she was sure it would burst. She wasn't proud of this, but she needed to know the truth.

Her chest tightened as she scrolled through the conversation history. Marissa's name appeared over and over, casual greetings, inside jokes, long conversations that stretched late into the night.

It wasn't just the frequency that hurt—it was the familiarity. The ease with which they spoke, the shared memories, the laughter that seemed to leap off the screen. Marissa would ask about his day, his work, his hobbies. She even asked about Elena, and Liam's replies were always polite, always positive... but always distant.

She's fine. She's busy with the house. Yeah, she doesn't mind us talking.

Elena's vision blurred as she read the words. She doesn't mind. But she did. She minded so much that it was tearing her apart.

Then she saw it—a photo Marissa had sent. It was nothing provocative, just a picture of her at a café, smiling with a coffee cup in hand. But the caption felt like a dagger to Elena's heart: Remember this place? So many memories.

Liam's reply was simple, a single line that shattered Elena's world. Yeah, those were good times.

She closed the laptop with shaking hands, her chest heaving as she tried to breathe. Memories. Good times. It wasn't fair. Why did Marissa get to be a part of his past and his present? Why couldn't Elena shake the feeling that she was just an afterthought?

She sank into his chair, tears spilling down her cheeks as her mind spiraled. She thought she was enough. She thought she was his forever. But now she was drowning in insecurities, questioning everything she thought she knew.

When Liam came home that evening, Elena put on a brave face. She forced a smile, cooking his favorite dinner and laughing at his jokes, all the while battling the storm inside her.

She didn't confront him. Not yet. She needed to figure out what to say, how to explain the pain clawing at her chest. She needed to be calm, rational, not the jealous wife she feared he would see her as.

But the ache wouldn't go away.

That night, as they lay in bed, Liam's arm draped over her waist, Elena stared at the ceiling, wide awake. She could feel his steady breathing, his warmth against her back, but she felt miles apart from him.

She wondered if he was dreaming about her. Or if he was dreaming about someone else.

The shadows were winning, tightening their grip, whispering cruelly that she would never be enough. That she could never compete with the memories Marissa had left behind.

She closed her eyes, letting the tears fall silently, her heart breaking beneath the weight of a past that wouldn't let her go.

Elena lay awake, her body rigid as Liam's arm draped over her. She could feel his steady breathing, his warmth pressed against her back, but all she could think about were the messages—the smiles, the memories, the ease with which he spoke to Marissa.

Her mind raced, replaying every word, every laugh he had shared with his ex. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to will the thoughts away, but they wouldn't let her rest.

"Can't sleep?" Liam's voice was soft, his breath warm against her neck.Elena tensed, not expecting him to be awake. "Just... too many thoughts," she whispered, keeping her voice steady.

He pulled her closer, his chest firm against her back. "Anything you want to talk about?"

She hesitated, her heart thudding painfully. Should she tell him? Should she admit she'd looked through his messages?

"Just... the usual. House stuff," she lied, her voice brittle.

He chuckled, his fingers tracing idle patterns on her arm. "You worry too much."

If only you knew, she thought, biting her lip to keep from saying it out loud.

Silence stretched between them, heavy and suffocating. Elena's mind wouldn't stop spinning, the questions burning on her tongue. She took a shaky breath, deciding to test the waters.

"Hey... Marissa texted you today, right?"

Liam's body went still for a moment, his fingers pausing before he resumed his gentle caresses. "Yeah. She needed some advice about her car."

"Do you... talk to her often?" Elena kept her voice light, casual, as if she was simply curious.

"Sometimes. We're just friends, you know that." His tone was easy, nonchalant. "It's no big deal."

Elena swallowed, her throat tight. "You guys seem... close."

"She just trusts me, I guess," he said, his voice softening. "We've known each other a long time. But that's all it is."

Elena forced a smile, even though he couldn't see her face. "Yeah... of course."

But her heart ached. He made it sound so simple, so innocent, but she had seen the messages. She had seen how they laughed, how they reminisced. It didn't feel like just friendship to her.

Liam kissed her shoulder, his lips warm against her skin. "Hey... you're not worried about her, are you?"

"No," she lied, her voice trembling just slightly. "I trust you."

And she did—at least, she wanted to. But trust felt so fragile now, so easily shattered by the shadows of the past.

He pulled her closer, his arm tightening around her waist. "You're the only one for me, Elena. Always."

The words were sweet, comforting... but they didn't erase the image of his smile as he texted Marissa. They didn't silence the echo of his laughter or the memory of her picture on his screen.

Elena closed her eyes, letting his warmth surround her. But inside, she was cold, her heart weighed down by doubts she couldn't shake.

She wanted to believe him. She wanted to believe in their love, in their marriage, in the promises they had made. But Marissa's shadow was everywhere—lingering in his smile, in his phone, in the spaces between them.

And Elena didn't know how to make it go away.

Not when Liam wouldn't let go of the past.The days that followed were a delicate balancing act. Elena tried to ignore the knot in her stomach every time Liam's phone buzzed. She smiled through the pang of jealousy, laughed at his jokes, and kissed him goodnight, pretending everything was normal.

But the doubt lingered, gnawing at her.

One evening, as she prepared dinner, the familiar chime of Liam's phone echoed through the kitchen. She tensed, her hands pausing over the cutting board. The screen lit up, the name Marissa flashing before it dimmed again.

"Elena?" Liam's voice broke her trance. He stood in the doorway, a curious look on his face. "Everything okay?"

She forced a smile, her heart thudding. "Yeah. Just tired."

He walked over, placing his hands on her shoulders, rubbing them gently. "You've been working too hard. Let me help."

"I'm fine." She moved away, busying herself with stirring the sauce. She didn't want him to touch her—not when her chest felt tight, her mind flooded with doubts.

Liam's phone buzzed again, the vibration skittering across the countertop. Elena's eyes flicked to it, the screen lighting up once more.

Liam followed her gaze, his smile faltering. "It's just Marissa."

Elena's grip tightened around the spoon. Of course, it's her.

"She's probably just asking about her car again," he continued, his voice casual. "I told her to take it to that shop downtown."

Elena's heart twisted. "You're texting her a lot lately."

He laughed, the sound too easy, too light. "She's just a friend. You know that."

She set the spoon down, turning to face him. "Do I?"

Liam's smile faded. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Elena looked at him, really looked at him—at the man she had married, the man she loved. But she could see the flicker of guilt in his eyes, the hesitation before he answered.

"You... you talk to her more than you talk to me sometimes," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I feel like she knows more about your life than I do."

Liam's shoulders slumped, his hands sliding into his pockets. "Elena... you're overthinking this."

"Am I?" She crossed her arms, trying to hold herself together. "You didn't even tell me you were still in contact with her."

"I didn't think it mattered," he said, his voice tinged with frustration. "We're just friends. Nothing's going on."

"Then why hide it?"

His jaw clenched, his gaze dropping. "I wasn't hiding anything. I just... didn't want you to get the wrong idea."

She felt a cold laugh escape her. "Well, you did a great job of that."

Liam's eyes flashed with hurt. "You don't trust me?"

Elena looked away, her heart aching. "I want to... but how can I, when you keep her a secret?"

His face softened, his hands reaching for hers. "Elena... she's my past. You're my future. I love you. Only you."

His touch was warm, his words soothing, but the knot in her chest didn't loosen. She wanted to believe him. She wanted to let it go, to trust him like she did before.

But every time she closed her eyes, she saw Marissa's name flashing on his phone, saw the way his face softened when he talked to her.

Elena took a step back, her hands slipping from his grasp. "I need to finish dinner."

Liam's shoulders fell, his expression pained."Elena..."

She turned away, her voice wavering. "Just... give me some space."

He stood there for a moment, his presence heavy in the room, before he finally walked away, leaving her alone.

Alone with her fears. Alone with her doubts. Alone with the shadows of his past.

The scent of dinner filled the kitchen, warm and comforting. But all Elena could feel was the cold emptiness spreading inside her, whispering that Marissa's ghost wasn't going anywhere.

Not when Liam kept inviting her in.