Chapter 5
1087 Words
Omniscient
The clinking of fine china and the shrill echo of laughter filtered through the marble hallway like poison. Serena didn’t need to see them to know what was happening in the drawing room. The scent of her mother’s favorite vanilla roses had been doubled. The expensive catering trays were out. Her life was being sold — again.
She stood at the top of the stairs for a few seconds, listening to the cheer in Vivienne’s voice as she played the perfect hostess. The “beloved stepdaughter,” the “sacrificing bride,” the “hope of Callahan legacy.” Serena descended slowly, not out of curiosity — but to keep up appearances. The perfect daughter, like they raised her to be.
As soon as she stepped into the room, Vivienne lit up with a smile too wide to be genuine. “There she is,” she announced proudly, reaching for Serena’s hand. “The future Mrs. Ballerie.”
Polite claps followed. Serena barely registered the faces. It was always the same: board wives, family friends, and people who only looked her in the eye to measure her value. She kept her expression neutral, the same one she wore like armor.
“She’s so graceful,” one woman said, sipping champagne. “Quiet girls always make the best wives. No drama.”
Vivienne chuckled. “She’s a true Callahan. Loyalty runs in her blood.”
Minutes later, Serena slipped out before anyone could ask her to smile for a photo. The sound of glasses clinking faded behind her.
In the hallway, Caleb leaned against the wall, scrolling through his phone with one hand, a glass in the other. He looked up when she passed.
“You clean up well,” he said, lazily.
She didn’t stop walking. “I wasn’t even dressed up.”
He followed, casually. “They’re excited. Everyone sees it now — this is the deal that saves your company.”
“Your company,” she corrected. “I never asked for a merger.”
Caleb smirked. “You didn’t have to. You were born into it.”
She paused at the foot of the stairs and faced him. “Just say it. You think I’m trapped.”
His eyes darkened with amusement. “You are.”
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving her staring at the hollow luxury around her.
Upstairs, she found Vanessa already in her room, pretending to scroll through magazines but clearly waiting. She was seated cross-legged on Serena’s bed, uninvited.
“Big day,” Vanessa said sweetly. “Or should I say... countdown day?”
“I’m not in the mood,” Serena said, moving to her closet.
“Oh, please,” Vanessa snapped, dropping the fake grin. “You act so composed. Like you’re better than all of this. But you’re not. You’re just another pretty name they slapped on a contract.”
Serena’s grip on the door handle tightened. “And what are you?”
“I would’ve killed for this,” Vanessa hissed. “To be the one they dressed up and sold. At least I want it. You’re just wasting it, walking around here like a silent martyr.”
Serena turned slowly. “You think this is something to want? A man who only needs a legal tie to power? A family that cares more about preserving the company name than the people in it?”
“You don’t get to be self-righteous when you’re the one getting everything handed to you,” Vanessa growled, standing up. “I worked twice as hard in this family to be seen as a daughter. You? You’ve always been the precious little gem. Even when they chain you in diamonds, you get more than I ever did.”
“Then take it,” Serena said, voice hollow. “You can have the chain. Just ask Vivienne to put it on you instead.”
The silence was thick between them until Vanessa scoffed and stormed out.
Hours passed.
Serena stared at the folder Vivienne had left on her desk — venue options, designer sketches, possible engagement press statements. She didn’t open it. She didn’t need to. The plan hadn’t changed. No one was asking her anything. They didn’t need her permission. Just her face, her name, and her signature.
She walked through the corridor to her father’s old study and stood by the tall windows. It was cold. Her reflection in the glass looked tired.
Beneath her, the garden lights cast shadows across the lawn. The new butler, Robert, was walking toward the west wing with a tray. Quiet. Efficient. Too careful.
She watched him with narrowed eyes.
No one else noticed how he lingered at closed doors. How his gaze always flicked to her when she entered a room. How he moved through the estate like a whisper instead of a man.
She knew what he was.
But no one else did.
Lucian Blackwood hadn’t stepped foot into her life yet — not physically. But his presence was already crawling in. Watching. Studying. Probably laughing behind his mask at how easy it was to infiltrate the Callahan estate. Vivienne wouldn’t suspect a thing. She thought she was the one with control.
Serena wanted to scream. She wanted to tell the world what they were doing. But what good would that do? Her uncle had already refused to help when she called the day before — his voice filled with fear the moment she said “terminate the contract.”
“Do you understand what you’re asking me?” he whispered. “To go up against the Blackwoods? Do you know what they’ll do to this family’s name? To Callahan Pharma? They don’t play by rules, Serena. I can’t help you.”
So no one could.
No one would.
And Serena? She had to smile in gowns and attend rehearsals for a wedding she didn’t want. With a man she didn’t trust. Surrounded by people who would watch her burn and call it grace.
The hallway outside her room felt colder now. She walked back in, shut the door, and stood against it for a long time, her fists clenched.
They all thought she had no choice.
They all believed she was cornered.
Let them think it.
Because when the time came — when Lucian Blackwood finally made his move — Serena wouldn’t be the girl begging for mercy.
She’d be the one who knew exactly who her enemies were.
And this time, she’d be ready.
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- Writer
