How did you get hurt like that?

Zuri's POV

I have to admit, this new room is more spacious and definitely feels more elegant. It's divided into two parts: a separate bedroom and workspace. The decorations are nice. But it still feels like a prison. And why do I have to share a room with this jerk who's now my husband? Staying in this room means I have to see his face all the time, and I really don't like that.

"'That's your room," Liam said, pointing to a door painted magenta. Funny, that's one of my favorite colors. But it stands out way too much compared to the other colors in the room. Where did he get the idea to paint the door that color?

Anyway, the important thing is that I have my own space. But when I opened the door, it wasn't what I thought it would be. It's a special room with a neatly organized closet for my personal belongings. I could tell immediately as I recognized some of my things. How in the world did Liam manage to move everything from my room at the Harrison estate to this room? It feels like my father had cast me aside and didn't want me to return to the Harrison household.

"And what about the bed? Should we share that too?" I asked Liam as I came out of the personal storage room.

"This is my bed. You can sleep on the couch. I'll share a room, but not a bed," Liam replied coldly, without a hint of empathy.

"Ugh, how is it possible that there's still a creature as annoying as you in this world? Prince Tristan must have been just as obnoxious as you." I muttered to myself, knowing that Liam wouldn't get the reference.

"Hopefully he won't stay here long and will ask for a divorce soon."

I looked up at Liam who just stared at me in silence. That was his inner thought and I smiled when I heard it.

"Hmm... What if I just ask for a divorce?" I said suddenly, agreeing with what Liam was thinking.

"You can, and I will divorce you immediately. But your father will be out on the street, because all the Harrison family assets will be mine. That's what the agreement says. It applies even if I initiate the divorce," Liam's words made my world collapse. My happy face quickly turned sad. How could we possibly get a divorce if it meant I would end up on the streets, a scenario I hadn't fully considered?

It seemed I needed a plan to get Liam to divorce me willingly. That way, I'd get all of his assets and throw this cruel man out on the street.

End of POV

********

Night had fallen and Zuri had settled into her new room as Liam had instructed.

"This is for you," Liam said as he handed Zuri a small box. When she opened it, she found a white gold ring with an intricate lily design surrounding a pink diamond. Zuri admired the beautiful piece of jewelry. It looked so luxurious, it must have been a special order.

But her admiration was short-lived as she immediately turned her suspicious gaze to Liam.

"Why did you give me this ring?" Zuri asked as she pushed the box away.

"Think of it as a welcome gift for you just moving into this house. I wasn't going to give it to you, but instead of it sitting in a drawer, it's better that it's yours," Liam replied with a calm expression.

"Fine, I refuse the ring," Zuri said, her annoyance growing.

"Then throw it in the trash," Liam replied, equally cruel.

"Oh, what a shame!" Zuri exclaimed, an idea suddenly popping into her head. "Maybe I'll keep it. Who knows, maybe I can sell it to finance my escape from this place."

"This is a copy of the marriage license. I kept the original," Liam said as he handed the document to Zuri. Zuri took it reluctantly.

"Do you have any questions?" Liam asked, but Zuri shook her head.

Knock, knock!

There was a knock at her bedroom door. Zuri got up to answer it. A servant stood there, holding medical supplies like bandages and such.

"Mr. Liam asked me to change the bandages," the maid said politely.

"Come in." Zuri motioned for the maid to enter.

"Mr. Liam," the maid greeted, and Liam nodded.

"Put it on the table. You may go," Liam instructed the maid with surprising politeness. Zuri was a little surprised to realize that Liam could actually be polite, even to a waiter.

"Do me a favor," Liam suddenly asked Zuri, who looked at him in confusion.

Slowly, Liam unbuttoned his pajama top, revealing his athletic body with firm, toned abs. He was absolutely gorgeous. But a bandage covered the wound on his back.

Zuri swallowed hard, but quickly regained control of herself and suppressed her admiration.

Liam sat with his back to Zuri, exposing his wound.

"Help me change the bandage. The maid could have done it, but I'd prefer it if you did it," Liam requested, though his tone was still commanding.

"Can't you say 'please'? Why does it always have to sound like an order?" Zuri protested, annoyed at his phrasing.

Liam sighed for a moment.

"Zuri, will you please help me?" Liam corrected himself and complied with Zuri's request without resistance.

Zuri smiled, satisfied that Liam had complied. She slowly approached him and began to remove the old bandage. A deep gash was visible on Liam's back. Zuri gently touched his back, remembering the dream she had. She also remembered the bloodstains on her hand after slapping his back earlier. Had Liam been injured before? How did he get that wound? Questions filled Zuri's mind.

"If you're too scared, I can call the maid to treat me," Liam said, noticing Zuri's silence as she gently touched his wound.

"I'm not afraid. I treated wounds worse than this when I was younger," Zuri replied, grabbing the medical kit and beginning to treat Liam's wound.

"How did you get hurt like that? Were you in a fight? Or were you robbed?" Zuri asked, eager to know how Liam had ended up with such an injury.