Days passed, and the tension between Liv and Alex continued to grow, but so did a sense of familiarity, however uncomfortable it may have been. The days were filled with public appearances, dinners with their families, and long, awkward silences when they were alone together.
But in private moments, Liv found herself noticing things she hadn't before—small details about Alex that made him seem more… human. He wasn't just the stoic businessman she had been pretending to marry. He had his quirks—his habit of running his fingers through his hair when he was frustrated, the way he would sigh heavily when he was deep in thought, the way he would always leave his sleeves rolled up just a little too high.
It was hard for her to ignore the fact that he wasn't all bad, that there was something about him that made her curious. Even more difficult to ignore was the way he seemed to notice her too—his gaze would linger on her sometimes, just a fraction longer than necessary, and when they shared a laugh, it felt… real.
But none of it made sense. This was still a farce, a game neither of them had chosen, and it wasn't just the wedding that was false; it was everything about them. She wasn't Emily. He wasn't the man who had once been engaged to her.
They were both playing roles. And the deeper Liv got into this marriage, the more she wondered how long she could keep up the charade.
It was a Thursday evening, and Liv found herself at a dinner hosted by Alex's family. It was a lavish event, the sort of thing that was meant to impress and solidify business relationships. But for Liv, it was just another reminder that she was living someone else's life.
The conversation at the table was light, yet serious, as guests discussed everything from the latest business trends to personal matters. Alex sat beside her, his usual composed self, but Liv couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. He was quieter than usual, his jaw tight, and his eyes flicking to her almost too frequently.
"You look lovely tonight, Liv," one of Alex's distant relatives said, offering her a smile. "You must be adjusting to married life well."
Liv forced a smile, nodding. "Thank you. It's… been an adjustment."
Alex, who had been half-listening, suddenly spoke up, his voice laced with a strange edge. "She's adjusting better than I expected."
Liv glanced at him, caught off guard by the tone in his voice. There was something there—something behind his words that made her uneasy.
Before she could respond, one of Alex's business partners—a man in his mid-forties with a sharp gaze and expensive taste—turned his attention to Alex. "So, how is the marriage treating you, Alex? It's all business, isn't it? Getting the right alliances in place?"
Alex's smile was tight, and he glanced at Liv for a brief moment before answering. "It's… what we expected," he said, his eyes momentarily locking with hers. "But there's no harm in making the best of it, is there?"
The words felt like they were meant for her, but Liv wasn't sure if they were an acknowledgment of the truth or just another mask he was wearing. She nodded, her stomach flipping.
Later, when the dinner had wound down and most of the guests had retired to the lounge, Liv found herself alone in the garden with Alex. The moon hung low in the sky, casting an ethereal glow over the manicured lawns. The cool night air sent a shiver down her spine, and she hugged her arms around her waist for warmth.
"Are you alright?" Alex's voice broke the silence, and Liv looked up to find him standing near her, his hands in his pockets. His expression was unreadable, as usual, but there was something in the way he looked at her that made her heart race.
"I'm fine," she said, even though she wasn't. She was far from fine.
He stepped closer, his gaze softening just a little. "You don't seem fine. You've been quiet all night."
Liv turned away, unable to meet his eyes. "I'm just… tired. I guess I'm not used to all of this."
Alex's gaze followed her as she took a step back, distancing herself both physically and emotionally. "I don't blame you," he said quietly. "This isn't the easiest situation for either of us."
Liv's heart skipped a beat at his words. Was he really acknowledging the strain they were both under? The way this was all starting to take a toll on her?
"I never asked for any of this," she whispered, the words escaping her before she could stop them. "I didn't want to be here. I didn't want to be… married to you."
The moment the words left her lips, she regretted them. She wanted to take them back, to retract her honesty, but it was too late. Alex's eyes darkened for a moment, and Liv could see the hurt flash in them before he quickly masked it with a controlled expression.
"I didn't want this either," he said, his voice low and measured. "But we're here now. And maybe… maybe we can find a way to make it work. At least for the sake of our families."
The words hit Liv like a punch to the gut. She had expected anger, or at least some form of resentment, but instead, Alex was offering a strange form of understanding.
"I don't know how to make this work," Liv admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know how to be the person you need me to be."
Alex took a step closer, and for a moment, Liv thought he might say something that would change everything. Something that would make the whole situation clearer. But instead, he simply placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch gentle but firm.
"We'll figure it out," he said, his voice filled with determination. "One step at a time."
Liv nodded, but deep down, she wasn't sure if they could. She wasn't sure if they could ever figure this out. But as she stood there, under the moonlit sky with Alex, she couldn't deny the tension that was building between them. It was confusing, and it didn't make sense, but there was something there—something that neither of them could ignore.