CHAPTER 20

As Liv and Seth talked with Scarlet at the bookshop, the full story of Liv's meeting with Dylan started to come out. Seth's expression grew stormier with each new detail revealed.

When Liv mentioned Dylan's vague threats about Seth's past, a flash of pure rage crossed Seth's face. Without a word, he turned and strode from the shop, slamming the door behind him.

"Seth, wait!" Liv cried, hurrying after him. But he was already peeling out of the parking lot in his car, tires squealing.

Liv stood helplessly watching him go, tears pricking her eyes. She turned to Scarlet with a look of panic. "What do I do now?"

Scarlet squeezed her arm comfortingly. "Give him some time to cool off. Dylan clearly knows which buttons to push with Seth. Once the initial fury passes, I'm sure Seth will be ready to talk it out."

Liv sighed shakily. "I hope you're right. I should have been upfront from the start." She leaned against Scarlet wearily.

"For now, try not to overthink. Focus on your bookshop duties and let Seth process his feelings. I'll check in with him too. It'll all work out, you'll see."

Liv sank down on the bookshop sofa with a worried sigh. "This is exactly what I was afraid of with Seth. He's always been so jealous and possessive."

Scarlet sat beside her, offering a sympathetic ear. "I can understand where that would cause issues. But have you talked to him about how it makes you feel?"

Nodding, Liv said, "We've discussed it before but it never seems to stick. As soon as another man comes into the picture, even as a friend, Seth flies off the handle."

"Maybe you need to be more direct. Tell him point blank that his jealousy is damaging your relationship, and if it doesn't change you don't see a future," Scarlet suggested gently.

Liv bit her lip. "You're right, skirting around it hasn't worked. But I'm scared a blunt confrontation will only make him angrier."

"Seth cares deeply for you, Liv. Once he realizes how much this means, I'm sure he'll listen." Scarlet gave her a hug. "You can do it. Just remain calm and confident in what you want."

Liv sighed heavily as she confided in Scarlet. "The more I think about it, the more I'm not sure I want to stay married to Seth long-term. Our marriage was always just meant to be for a year."

Scarlet listened with concern. "What's changed your mind?"

"All the fighting, the jealousy...it's exhausting. And now with his reaction today, I worry things will only get worse." Liv ran a hand through her hair anxiously.

"But you clearly care about each other," Scarlet pointed out. "Maybe you just need to reset the terms of your relationship."

Liv nodded slowly. "You're right. When Seth calms down, I'll tell him we should just be friends without the pressure of marriage. That way we can enjoy our time together without these possessive issues coming between us."

"Just be prepared for him to be hurt," Scarlet cautioned. "Ending a marriage is no small thing, even one intended to be temporary."

"I know, but we owe it to ourselves to be happy." Liv steeled her resolve, hoping Seth would understand this was for the best in the long run.

Scarlet squeezed her hand supportively. "Whatever you decide, I'm here for you both. Just scared that Seth might get hurt in the process."

Liv sighed as she chatted with Scarlet. "I don't think Seth will take the marriage ending too hard. It's not like he was dying to marry me in the first place."

Scarlet frowned. "What do you mean? I thought you two have started to care for each other."

"We do, as friends. But this was always just an arrangement for both of us," Liv explained. "Seth only agreed to the marriage because of Nana."

"Are you sure about that? People's feelings can change over time," Scarlet said diplomatically.

Liv shook her head. "Trust me, I know Seth. When we first met, all he cared about was fulfilling the terms of the deal. He made it clear romantically we were just convenient companions."

Scarlet still looked uncertain. "Ending any relationship requires sensitivity. Maybe have an open talk with Seth, let him share his perspective before making assumptions."

"You're right, communication is key." Liv steeled her resolve. When Seth was ready, she would be direct yet caring in explaining where she saw their future heading - or not heading, as the case may be.

With any luck, he would accept this was the logical conclusion to their contractually obligated partnership.

Seth stormed into Dylan's high-rise office, slamming the door behind him. "Stay away from Liv."

Dylan leaned back in his chair, entirely unruffled. "Now Seth, is that any way to greet an old friend?"

"We were never friends." Seth glowered at him. "I'm warning you, if you say one more word to mess with her head..."

Dylan smirked as Seth stormed into his office. "Always so temperamental, my friend. What brings you today?"

Seth glared at Dylan, barely keeping his anger in check. "Stay away from Liv. I'm warning you for the last time."

Dylan smirked. "Or what? You'll get angry and storm off like you always do? Face it, that's your weakness - you can't control your temper."

Seth took a menacing step forward. "This isn't a game. Liv is off-limits, you hear me?"

"Or what? You'll throw another little tantrum?" Dylan replied mockingly. "We both know I'm the better man for Liv. It's only a matter of time before she sees that too."

"You don't know anything about me and Liv," Seth growled through gritted teeth.

Dylan leaned back with a smug smile. "Don't I? I can see the cracks forming in your perfect little relationship. Liv is having doubts, thanks to my subtle...encouragement."

Seth took a menacing step forward. "If you go near her again—"

Dylan cut him off with a laugh. "You'll what, get in another fistfight you can't win? Face it Seth, your temper is your downfall. But it's what will drive Liv right back into my arms."

Unfazed, Dylan picked at his nails. "I'll back off for now. But you and I both know it's only a matter of time before Liv sees through your act. Deep down, she'll always crave what I have to offer."

Seth's fists clenched, every muscle taut with rage. But he held it in, knowing Dylan wanted nothing more than to provoke a reaction.

"You're delusional," Seth spat. "Liv and I are solid. Your manipulations won't work anymore."

“Not like I am in love with your wife, I just want to have her because she is your wife,” Dylan smirked, evilly.

At that, Seth snapped. With a roar he launched himself across the desk, grabbing Dylan by the collar. Papers flew as they crashed to the ground in a brawl.

Through the red haze of rage, one thing was clear to Seth—he'd be damned if Dylan ever sank his claws into Liv again.

Dylan smiled to himself as the door slammed once more. Seth could deny it all he liked, but they both knew the truth - deep cracks were forming in his precious relationship, and Dylan would be waiting to sweep in when it all fell apart.

“Always so temperamental,” he laughed.