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. --- **Cliffhanger:** 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?