CHAPTER 16

Liv stormed out of Seth's house, frustration and tears evident on her face.

As Liv arrived at Nana's house, she quickly realized that Nana was not at home. The emptiness of the house intensified her feelings of loneliness and despair. Just as she was about to sink into her thoughts, Nana burst through the front door, her breath ragged and her face flushed with exertion.

Nana called out. "Liv! Oh, my dear, I'm so sorry. I didn't expect you to be here so soon. I was out for a walk, trying to clear my head."

Liv sighed. "It's alright, Nana. I just needed to escape for a while. Seth and I had another heated argument."

Nana said concern evident on her face. "Oh, Liv, my heart breaks to see you in this situation. But perhaps... Perhaps you should give Seth another chance. He's my son, after all. People can change."

Liv hesitated. "I don't know, Nana. It's been like this for so long. His possessiveness suffocates me, and his jealousy is tearing us apart. I can't live like this."

Nana pleadingly took her hands. "Liv, I understand your pain. But as a mother, I can't help but hope for a reconciliation. Please, consider giving Seth another chance. Maybe he'll realize his mistakes and change for the better."

Liv sighs deeply. "I... I don't want to disappoint you, Nana. I know how much you want the best for your son. But I can't ignore my own happiness and well-being. And I also don’t want to break my mother’s heart."

Nana softly said, "Liv, my dear, I just want you to be happy. If you truly believe that leaving Seth is the right choice, then I will support you. Your well-being matters more than anything else."

Liv with teary-eye. "Thank you, Nana. Your support means the world to me. I can’t leave Seth even if I want to, it will break my mother’s heart."

Nana smiled gently. "Liv, my love, you never disappoint me. I only want what's best for you. Let's work together to find a way forward."

Nana stood in the kitchen, phone in hand as it rang. On the third ring, Seth picked up with an irritated "What?"

"Don't take that tone with me, young man," Nana said sternly. "I want to know what happened between you and Liv."

Seth sighed heavily. "It was nothing, Ma. Liv just overreacted like she always does."

"According to Liv, you were accusing her of ridiculous things again. Being possessive and jealous."

"Well maybe if she didn't flirt with other guys-"

"Seth Brown, that is enough!" Nana shouted, silencing him. "I have told you time and time again that your behavior will only drive Liv away. But you refuse to listen."

When Seth didn't respond, she continued. "Liv is a good woman. But no one can live under constant suspicion. You need to get control of these jealous fits before you lose her for good."

"What do you want me to do, Ma?" Seth asked, his tone softening.

"Give Liv space for now. And promise me you'll seek help - whether it's therapy or anger management. I won't see you ruin this marriage."

After a long pause, Seth replied. "Okay, Ma. I'll...try to do better."

Nana sighed, hoping this was the start of real change. "See that you do. For Liv's sake and your own."

“Are you in love with her?” Nana asked.

“What? No I’m not in love with her,” Seth replied nervously.

“Then why this madness?” She asked.

“It’s okay Nana, tell her to come home,” Seth said, hanging up the call.

Liv stared at her phone with a sigh. She knew Scarlet would be expecting her at their usual bookshop meetup. Ringing the familiar number, Liv waited as it rang.

"Hey Liv, where are you? I'm just getting settled in with a latte," Scarlet said cheerfully.

"Hi Scarlet, actually that's why I'm calling. I won't be able to make it today," Liv replied sadly.

"Oh no, what happened? Is everything okay?" Scarlet asked, concerned creeping into her voice.

Liv proceeded to explain about the latest argument with Seth and her subsequent escape to Nana's house. "So I'm just not up for being social right now."

"Ugh, I'm so sorry Liv. Seth needs to get his act together," Scarlet said in frustration. "Speaking of acts, Dylan stopped by here earlier looking for you."

Liv felt a blush rise in her cheeks at the mention of Dylan. "What did he want?"

"He didn't say, just asked if I'd seen you. I think somebody's got a little crush, but you need to tell him you are married!" Scarlet teased.

Liv laughed, feeling lighter for the first time that day. Trust Scarlet to distract her, even for a moment, from her troubles. "We'll see. For now, I think I just need some space to breathe."

"Of course. You know where to find me if you need anything, okay?"

"Thanks Scarlet. Talk to you later." Liv ended the call with a small smile.

BROWN CONGLOMERATE

Seth strode into his office, exuding his typical air of authority. Jill immediately stood up straighter at her desk. "Good morning Mr. Brown."

He barely acknowledged her greeting as he removed his coat. "What's on my schedule for today?"

"You have a 10am meeting with the marketing team to discuss the new product launch," Jill replied promptly.

Seth sat at his desk, booting up his computer. "Remind them we expect to see results this time. I don't tolerate failure."

"Yes sir." Jill made a note. "Should I reschedule last night's dinner? I see it's still on your calendar."

"Cancel it." Seth's voice was curt. "Had a family matter come up."

Jill nodded, sensing his mood and choosing her next words carefully. "I hope everything is alright at home, sir."

Seth finally looked up at her, eyes like ice. "My personal life is none of your concern, Jill. Focus on the tasks related to this company."

"Of course, you're right. My apologies." Jill busied herself with paperwork, intimidated into silence.

Seth spent the next hour immersed in emails and reports, the perfect picture of stoic productivity. But underneath, his mind still churned with worries about Liv and how to get her back.

Seth sat back in his chair, rubbing his tired eyes. His thoughts drifted to Liv again, as they often did. But this time, a sliver of doubt crept in.

"Am I really in love with her?" he muttered to himself. His previous actions came into question - the constant accusations, lack of trust. Was that how you treated someone you loved?

Seth thought back to when they first met. Liv's smile that lit up a room, her kind spirit, the way she related to his mum. She accepted him wholly when others saw only his driven ambition.

A knock at the door interrupted his musings. It was time for his meeting.

Seth stared worriedly at his phone during a break between meetings. No replies from Liv since their argument. He tried calling again, but it went straight to voicemail.

Fear and frustration gripped him. What if she didn't come back this time? Seth couldn't lose her, not after all the realizations he'd had that day.

On his next attempt, Liv picked up but didn't speak. "Liv, please. I need to see you, to explain." His voice cracked with emotion.

A long pause, then Liv sighed. "Seth, I told you I needed space. I'm with Nana now."

"I know, and you deserve space. But please, give me a chance to show you I'm listening now." Seth ran a hand through his hair anxiously.

Another pause as Liv considered. "One dinner. That's all I can promise for now."

Seth's heart leapt at this small olive branch. "Anything, Liv. Thank you. How's tomorrow night?"

"Fine. I'll meet you at Mario's at 7." And with that, she hung up, leaving Seth clutching his phone with both hope and trepidation for what tomorrow might bring.