Chapter six
Liv trudged through the front door, exhausted from the long day's events. "Mom, I'm home!" she called out automatically, before remembering with a pang that her mother wouldn't be answering. It was just Liv now in this big house.
She leaned back against the closed door with a sigh. So much had changed in the past few hours. That whirlwind court marriage seemed like a dream now. And yet here she was, married to a stranger. Seth. Her husband.
Pushing off the door, Liv went straight to her room. She had picked it out a few hours ago, never imagining it would be her room. Stepping inside, she took a moment to look around at the familiar space that now felt foreign. y.
After washing her face in the adjoining bathroom, Liv felt slightly refreshed. But nerves still twisted in her stomach at the thought of facing Seth.
The hours dragged on as Liv waited anxiously for Seth to return. She kept herself busy by straightening up around the house, but her mind continued to wander.
Glancing at the clock, she was surprised to see it was nearly 1 AM. Where could he be by this time of the night? Liv tried to reassure herself, imagining Seth was held up late at the office closing an important deal. As a manager of a big firm, he was undoubtedly busy.
She flipped through the channels restlessly, unable to focus on the mindless sitcoms and dramas. Checking her phone again, there were no missed calls or texts from Seth. Her stomach twisted itself into knots as terrible "what if" scenarios started creeping in.
Had something happened to him? Car accident? Attack? Kidnapping? Liv scolded herself for letting her imagination run wild, but she couldn't help the growing sense of unease. Pacing around the silent house did nothing to calm her nerves.
By 2 AM, Liv was a wreck. She finally decided to sleep. “I’m just worried, he probably must have forgotten he is married now.”
Seth's face turned cold as he stood outside the door, his gaze fixed on his shoes that were placed haphazardly outside. He had always been particular about his belongings and didn't appreciate anyone touching them without permission. He furrowed his brows and knocked on the door.
Inside the house, Liv was fast asleep when she suddenly heard sounds coming from outside. Startled, she jolted awake and quickly grabbed a nearby stick, fearing that a thief was attempting to break in. Her heart racing, she cautiously approached the door, ready to defend herself and their home.
Who's there?!" Liv shouted, ready to swing at the intruder. She froze when her eyes met Seth's cold stare. "Oh thank god, you're home," she breathed in relief, lowering the stick.
But Seth's expression remained icy. "Explain why my shoes are out here," he demanded in a low voice. Liv shrank back at his threatening demeanor, suddenly afraid.
Liv, still caught off guard, stammered out an explanation, "I... I kept them there to protect myself. I thought it would make any potential intruder think there was a man in the house."
Seth's expression remained cold as he responded firmly, "Liv, you know one of the rules is not to touch my things without permission. It's important to respect each other's belongings and boundaries."
Liv's initial fear now mixed with regret as she realized the impact of her actions. "I... I'm sorry, Seth. I didn't think it would bother you so much. I was just trying to feel safe."
Seth's tone softened slightly as he replied, "I understand your intentions, but we must communicate and discuss these things together. We can find better ways to ensure our safety without disregarding each other's personal space."
The room fell into a heavy silence as Liv processed Seth's words.
Liv awoke with a start, disoriented in the unfamiliar bedroom. The memories of the previous night came flooding back, and she buried her face in her hands with a groan.
Tiptoeing downstairs, she thought Seth had already left for work without a word. The tense silence of the empty house pressed down on her.
With no kitchen supplies in the bare kitchen, Liv scrolled through delivery apps but hesitated to order. Would Seth even eat a meal she provided? He seemed displeased by her very presence. Still, she hoped a shared breakfast could ease some tension.
Placing an order for two, Liv chose a simple spread she thought wouldn't offend Seth's tastes - fruit, pastries, coffee. A peace offering, of sorts. She set the table neatly and waited, nerves coiling tighter with each passing minute.
When the delivery pinged, Liv nearly jumped out of her skin. She inspected each item carefully, making sure all was in order before presenting it.
She got into the apartment and arranged the table for breakfast.
Liv heard Seth enter and froze with her fork halfway to her mouth. She watched nervously as he strode into the living room, eyes passing over her dismissively.
"I see you've started eating already," he remarked coolly.
"No doubt too lazy to cook an actual meal. I thought as much she is one of those social media baddies that don’t cook or clean," he thought while staring at her.
Liv's cheeks burned, but she met his gaze steadily. "I ordered breakfast for both of us since we have no kitchen supplies yet. I thought we could share a meal to discuss living arrangements," she quickly said as if she heard him.
Seth raised a skeptical brow. "Takeout for breakfast? I'm sure it's all empty calories and grease. Not suitable for a weekday."
Her heart sank, but Liv refused to back down. "Please, at least have a look. It's all fresh fruit and pastries, nothing too indulgent."
With a put-upon sigh, Seth joined her reluctantly. But as he surveyed the thoughtful spread, his expression softened almost imperceptibly. "Just this once, I suppose one unhealthy meal won't hurt," he conceded.
Liv breathed an internal sigh of relief as they ate in tentative silence.