SOLD BY MY MOTHER

" You're Getting Married Tomorrow"

"What did you just say?" Serena's voice shook.

Her eyes widened as she stared at the woman she called her mother. The woman who gave birth to her. The woman she trusted her whole life.

"I said, you're getting married tomorrow. To Liam Steel," her mother said calmly, placing a brown envelope on the table.

Serena's heart skipped a beat. "Marry who?!"

"Liam Steel. The billionaire. The heir to Steel Empire."

Serena burst into laughter-bitter, loud, almost crazy. "You've got to be kidding me."

"I'm not," her mother said, folding her arms. "Everything is arranged. You'll be his wife by tomorrow morning."

Serena's smile faded. "Mummy, are you hearing yourself? You want me to marry a complete stranger? Someone I don't even know?"

"I know exactly what I'm doing," her mother snapped. "This is not about love or feelings, Serena. This is survival."

Serena stood up and knocked the envelope off the table. "What about my feelings?! What about what I want?! I'm your only daughter!"

"And I'm your mother! And as long as you live under my roof and eat my food, you'll do as I say!" her mother shouted, slamming her hand on the table.

Tears filled Serena's eyes. "So you're selling me off to save your pride?"

Her mother's face turned hard. "I'm saving your father's life!"

Serena froze.

"What?"

"Your father needs surgery. A major one. We don't have the money. Liam's mother-Mrs. Isabella Steel-offered to cover the full hospital bill... if you marry her son."

Serena stared at her mother like she was a stranger.

"So you agreed?" she whispered. "Just like that? You didn't even ask me?"

"I signed the contract already," her mother said. "It's done."

Serena's mouth dropped open. "You forged my signature?!"

"I did what I had to do," her mother said, her voice low now. "Don't test me, Serena. If you dare disobey me, I will disown you. I mean it."

Serena shook her head in disbelief. "You're joking. Tell me you're joking."

"You think this is a joke? Your father is lying in the hospital, dying. We have nothing left! Nothing! And you're here talking about love?"

Serena's voice cracked. "So you just threw me away like I'm nothing?"

"You're not nothing. You're our only hope," her mother said coldly. "You'll marry Liam Steel. You'll play the role they want. And you'll save your father."

---

Serena locked herself in her room that night. She didn't eat. She didn't speak to anyone.

Her heart was shattered.

She kept replaying the words in her head: *You're getting married tomorrow... I signed the contract already... If you disobey me, I'll disown you.*

She cried until her chest hurt. She couldn't believe this was happening. Marriage? To a man she's never even met? Liam Steel?

She had heard the name before. Everyone had.

Liam Steel-CEO in waiting. Known for being cold. Rich. Quiet. Dangerous. The media called him "The Ice King."

And now... she was being forced to marry him?

It didn't make sense. Why would a man like that need a wife?

She got her answer the next morning.

---

At 10:00 a.m., a black car pulled up in front of their house. Two men in suits stepped out.

"Miss Serena Catarh?" one of them asked.

She didn't answer. Her mother did.

"She's ready."

"I'm not ready!" Serena shouted from the door. "You can't make me go!"

Her mother grabbed her by the arm. "Don't embarrass me in front of them. Get in the car."

"No!"

Her mother's voice turned ice cold. "If you walk back into this house, you're no longer my daughter. Don't test me, Serena."

Serena's heart broke all over again.

With tears running down her face, she got into the car.

---

They arrived at a tall glass building-Steel Empire.

She was taken to the 30th floor. Her hands were shaking. Her lips were dry. She wanted to scream, but she had no strength left.

Then she saw him.

Liam Steel.

He was standing by the window, looking down at the city like he owned it. Tall. Sharp jaw. Cold eyes. Dressed in black from head to toe.

He turned slowly.

Their eyes met.

Serena's heart dropped.

This was no ordinary man.

This was someone who had power in his silence.

He didn't greet her.

He didn't smile.

He didn't even ask her name.

He just walked over to the table and dropped a file in front of her.

"This is the marriage contract. You'll sign it now. Wedding is in one hour. The judge is waiting downstairs."

Serena looked at the paper, then at him.

"You don't even know me," she whispered.

"I don't need to know you," Liam said coldly. "This is business."

She stood up, angry. "Do you even have a heart?"

Liam leaned in close, his voice calm but dangerous.

"Let me make one thing clear," he said. "You were brought here for a reason. Stay in your lane. Don't touch my things. Don't speak unless spoken to. And if you ever cross me, Serena..."

He paused.

"I won't just throw you out. I'll destroy you."

Serena gasped.

His eyes didn't blink. His voice didn't shake.

"You can smile for the cameras. Hold my hand in public. But in this house, in my world... don't get in my way."

She clenched her fists. "Why are you doing this? You don't even want a wife."

He looked away. "My father threatened to give the company to my younger brother. He's married. I'm not. So I found a bride."

"Found? You make it sound like I'm an object!"

"You are," he said, walking away. "At least for the next twelve months."

---

An hour later, Serena stood next to Liam in front of a judge.

"I do," he said without emotion.

Serena barely whispered, "I do."

And just like that, she became **Mrs. Steel**.

---

They rode back to his penthouse in silence. No music. No congratulations. Just cold silence.

When they arrived, he didn't even show her around. He just said one thing before heading to his office:

"Don't try to make this into a love story. It's not."

She stood in the living room, feeling like a prisoner.

This wasn't a marriage.

It was a cage.

A golden, silent cage.

Later that night, Serena got a message from an unknown number.

"You think Liam is your biggest problem? You haven't met me yet."*

Her hands shook as she stared at the screen.

Who sent it?

And why did it feel like her nightmare was just beginning.

Serena sat on the edge of the massive bed. The room was silent. Too silent.

No TV. No music. No Liam.

Just her... alone in a golden prison.

She looked at the fancy wallpaper, the velvet curtains, the chandelier. It didn't feel like a home. It felt like a cage.

Her phone buzzed beside her.

**Elliot ❤️ Calling...**

Her heart skipped.

Elliot.

Her boyfriend.

The only person who knew her heart. The only one who always stood by her side.

She wiped her tears and quickly picked the call.

"Hello?" Her voice was soft, scared.

"Serena..." His voice sounded distant. Cold.

"Baby," she whispered. "Please let me explain."

"Explain what?" Elliot asked. "Explain how you just got married to a billionaire overnight?"

"Elliot, I didn't choose this," she said, tears already forming again. "My mum-she forced me. She signed the papers. She said if I don't marry Liam, she'll disown me. My dad... he's in the hospital. We didn't have the money."

"Serena, stop."

"I'm serious," she cried. "You know me. You know I'd never leave you like that. I didn't even know it was happening until the day before!"

There was silence.

Then his voice changed.

"You're a liar."

Her heart broke.

"No... Elliot, please-"

"You used me, Serena. You made me look like a fool."

"What? No! I didn't-"

"You've always been like this," he snapped. "You're just like those other girls. Chasing money. Looking for who's rich. That's why you ran to Liam, right?"

"Elliot, you know me better than that-"

"Do I?" he cut her off. "Because the Serena I knew wouldn't become someone's wife overnight. The Serena I knew wouldn't marry a billionaire behind my back."

"I was trying to save my father!" she screamed. "He's dying! We didn't have a choice!"

"You had a choice!" he shouted back. "You could've trusted me! You could've waited! You didn't even tell me!"

Her lips trembled. "There was no time."

He laughed-cold and painful. "You know what hurts me the most, Serena?"

"What?" she whispered.

"I actually believed in you. I thought you were different. I thought you were real."

"I am real... I still love you-"

"No, you don't," he said quickly. "You love money. You love the lifestyle. You love being Mrs. Steel."

Serena broke down crying. "Elliot, that's not fair. You don't know what I've been through. I didn't ask for this marriage. I didn't want this life."

"Well, now you have it," he said coldly. "Enjoy it. Enjoy your mansion. Enjoy your rich husband. Enjoy your new last name."

"Please, don't talk like this," she begged. "Please."

"I don't want to hear from you again, Serena. Ever."

Her breath caught in her throat.

"Elliot... please don't do this. Please."

But he had already ended the call.

---

She dropped the phone and covered her mouth, trying not to scream.

He was the last person she thought would turn his back on her.

She gave him everything. Her time. Her loyalty. Her heart.

And now... he called her cheap.

He called her a gold-digger.

And the worst part?

He didn't even let her explain.

A knock came at the door.

She wiped her tears and stood up.

The door opened slowly.

It was Mrs. Isabella Steel.

Liam's mother.

The woman behind this whole arrangement.

She stepped inside, dressed in a fitted black gown and holding her purse like a queen.

"Wipe your face," Isabella said, her tone sharp. "You're someone's wife now. You don't get to cry like a little girl."

Serena quickly wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her shirt.

"I know you're not happy," Isabella continued. "But none of this is about happiness. It's about duty. It's about image. It's about power."

Serena didn't respond.

"Liam might not like you," she said plainly. "In fact, he probably doesn't. But that doesn't matter. You'll behave like the perfect wife. You'll smile in public. You'll look good beside him. And you'll never bring shame to this family. Understood?"

Serena nodded slowly. "Yes, ma'am."

Isabella walked closer. "There are women who would kill to be in your shoes, Serena. You better act like you know the value of this opportunity."

Serena looked her in the eyes. "It doesn't feel like an opportunity. It feels like punishment."

Isabella smiled. A cold smile. "That's because you're weak. But don't worry. That will change."

She turned and walked out of the room without saying another word.

---

Serena sat on the bed again, shaking.

Everything felt like a dream. A bad one.

No Elliot.

No peace.

No escape.

She looked at her wedding ring. It felt heavy on her finger. Like chains.

Her phone buzzed again.

**Unknown Number:** *"You really think being Liam's wife will save you?"*

Her heart raced.

**Unknown Number:** *"You're just a piece on the board. And the game has just begun."*

She stared at the screen, frozen.

Who was sending these messages?

Why did it feel like someone was watching her?

---

Later that evening, she walked down the stairs to get water. The penthouse was quiet.

She passed Liam's office. The door was open just a little.

She paused.

She could hear voices.

Liam was on the phone.

"No, I don't love her," he said. "I don't even know her. She's just here for one reason."

Serena froze.

"I needed a wife. I got one. That's all."

He laughed.

"No, I don't care what she thinks. She's nothing to me. Just a contract. A tool."

Serena's chest tightened.

She slowly walked away before he could notice her.

Each word he said echoed in her head.

*She's nothing to me... Just a contract... A tool...*

Her tears started again.

She wasn't just losing Elliot.

She was stuck in a house with a man who didn't even see her as human.

---

She went back to her room and curled up on the bed.

She thought she had hit rock bottom earlier.

But now... she realized she hadn't even started falling.

At 2 a.m., Serena woke up to a strange sound.

A soft creaking near the window.

She sat up slowly, heart racing.

She walked to the window, but saw nothing.

Then her phone buzzed again.

**Unknown Number:** *"Still think this marriage was your worst nightmare? Think again."*

Serena dropped the phone.

Someone was watching her.

And she didn't feel safe anymore.

Serena sat alone in the guest room, staring at the empty wall. Everything around her looked so expensive. The curtains, the soft bed, the glowing chandelier above her head... it all screamed wealth. But none of it made her happy. It wasn't her home. She didn't want to be here.

She was now a wife to a total stranger.

Her chest felt heavy. She pulled her knees to her chest and rested her chin on them. The only good thing right now was that her father was finally going to have the surgery. That made her smile a little. At least he would be okay. That thought gave her a tiny bit of peace.

But still... she was angry. Angry at her mother. Angry at the way she was sold like a piece of furniture. How could her own mother do this to her?

A soft knock came at the door.

Serena didn't answer.

After a few seconds, the door opened anyway. It was Mrs. Isabella Steel, her mother-in-law.

"There's no need to sulk, Serena," the older woman said as she walked in. Her heels clicked against the marble floor. "You agreed to this marriage. And you will act like a wife in this house."

Serena didn't reply. She didn't even look up.

"Dinner will be served soon. Dress properly and come down," Isabella added, turning to leave.

Serena finally spoke, her voice low but firm. "I didn't agree to this. I was forced."

Isabella turned slightly. "Your father is alive because of us. Don't forget that." Then she walked out without another word.

Tears stung Serena's eyes again. She hated feeling weak, but this wasn't the life she had wanted. Her dreams were crushed all in one day.

She stood up and walked to the window. Outside, the sun was setting, painting the sky orange and pink. It should've been a beautiful view, but all she could feel was trapped.

---

Downstairs, Liam Steel sat in his home office, typing away on his laptop. He looked calm, but his mind wasn't at peace. His life was now tied to a girl he barely knew.

His mother had forced this marriage on him just to protect the company. Apparently, his father wanted to hand the business to his younger brother, just because he was married. His father believed that being married made a man more "responsible."

What a joke.

So, now Liam had a wife. A girl who didn't even belong in his world.

He looked at his phone. A new message from Vanessa. Again.

*"Are you really married now? Tell me this is a joke, Liam. You can't replace me that easily."*

Liam stared at the message but didn't reply. Instead, he deleted it. He was done with Vanessa. She had broken his heart once, and he wasn't going back.

A knock came on his door.

It was the butler. "Sir, madam is getting ready for dinner. Should we wait for you?"

Liam sighed. "No. I'll be down soon."

---

Serena finally came down for dinner. She had changed into a simple black dress. It wasn't too fancy, but it fit her nicely. Her hair was still loose, and her eyes were a little red.

She saw Liam already seated at the dining table, looking like a man carved out of stone. He didn't even glance at her.

Mrs. Isabella was there too, sipping from a wine glass like she owned the world.

Serena sat at the far end of the table. No one spoke for a long time.

The food was delicious, but Serena barely touched it. Her appetite was gone.

"You should eat," Isabella finally said. "You're going to need energy to be a good wife."

Serena looked up. "A good wife or a good puppet?"

Liam looked at her now. Just one sharp glance, but it was enough to silence her.

Isabella gave a fake smile. "You can have opinions, Serena. But don't forget who's saving your father's life."

Serena pushed her plate away. "Can I go now?"

"No," Liam said suddenly. His voice was deep and cold.

Serena's eyes widened.

"You're my wife now. And that means you'll sit at this table with us. You'll eat. You'll behave."

"I'm not your prisoner," she snapped.

"You're not free either," he replied calmly, picking up his wine glass.

Serena's hands shook under the table.

---

Later that night, Serena lay in the large guest bed, staring at the ceiling. She couldn't sleep. Everything felt wrong. Her father was in the hospital, her boyfriend had disappeared from her life, and now she was stuck in this cold mansion with strangers.

Her phone buzzed.

A message from Elliot.

Her heart jumped. She sat up quickly and opened it.

*"So it's true. You actually married him. For money. Wow, Serena. I thought you were different."*

Her heart sank.

*"Elliot please it's not what you think. My mom forced me to. My dad is sick. I didn't have a choice."* she typed quickly.

But he had already sent another message.

*"Don't text me again. You're cheap. Just another gold-digger. I hope the money was worth it."*

Tears filled Serena's eyes. She tried calling him, but he declined the call.

She called again. No answer.

She dropped the phone on the bed and buried her face in her hands.

How did her life become this mess?

All she wanted was to be happy. To have a simple life with the man she loved. But now, even Elliot had turned his back on her.

The door creaked open.

Serena wiped her tears quickly and sat up. Liam stood at the door.

"What do you want?" she asked.

He looked at her, his expression unreadable. "Stop crying over that loser. He doesn't deserve your tears."

Serena frowned. "You read my messages?"

"No," he said. "But I can hear you crying through the walls."

She looked away.

"You chose this life," Liam added.

"I didn't choose anything!" she shouted. "You think I wanted this marriage? I was forced! My father is dying, and my mother sold me to your family like I was nothing!"

Liam stepped closer. "And you think you're the only one who was forced? You think I wanted this?"

She looked up at him, surprised.

"I had someone too," he said. "But my mother didn't care. All she wanted was to fix the company image. So don't think you're the only victim here."

Serena blinked.

He turned to leave. "Get some sleep. We're going out tomorrow. And don't be late."

"Out?" she asked.

He didn't answer. The door closed behind him.

---

Serena lay back down. Her tears had stopped, but her chest still ached.

She thought she had nothing in common with Liam. But now, she realized... maybe he was just as trapped as she was.

Still, that didn't mean she could trust him. He was cold, rude, and distant. But maybe... just maybe... there was more to him than she thought.

She didn't know what tomorrow would bring. But whatever it was, she had to be strong.

Because she was now Serena Steel.

Even if it didn't feel like it yet.