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Chapter 5

Author: July Gold
The floor looked like a war zone.

Serena popped her meds and hauled her stuff to the guest room.

On the way out, she paused by the shattered glass and grabbed a photo.

The only one she and Vincent ever took. Now officially the last.

She hadn't figured out what to do with it while packing.

Guess Maggie handled that for her.

Serena smirked, ripped it up, and let the pieces fall into the trash.

Vincent didn't show up that night.

***

Serena woke to clattering in the kitchen at five a.m.

Vincent froze when he saw her, guilt flashing across his face.

"Did I wake you? Maggie didn't eat last night, so I'm making her creamy seafood soup. You should grab a bowl too."

She stared at the pot, silent.

He still remembered every single thing Maggie liked—even after all that time apart.

Just yesterday, she mentioned her seafood allergy—he hadn't even registered it.

She hadn't known he could cook until now.

Love hits different when it's one-sided.

"I'm good. Don't save me any," she said, voice low.

She turned to leave.

"About last night..." he called. "I panicked when I saw Maggie hurt. I didn't mean what I said. Don't take it personally."

She nodded.

"Right. Emergency. I get it."

Her calm threw him. Watching her eyes drop, guilt clenched his chest.

"It's been forever since we went anywhere. Once things settle, let's take a trip. Just us."

She gave a vague hum.

Didn't matter. She'd be out of there in a few days anyway.

***

Three days later, Serena got back from a day out with friends and found Vincent and Maggie already home.

They were curled up on the couch, flipping through some old photo album.

Maggie lit up when she saw her.

"Miss Saun, you're back! Vincent and I were just looking at old pics. Our friends always said we looked like a married couple. I thought they were just joking, but even the photographer said so during our wedding shoot. Come see—don't we look totally husband-and-wife?"

The air turned icy for a second.

It was a straight-up power move, but Serena didn't flinch.

She nodded.

"Yeah, they're right. You two really—"

Vincent jumped in.

"There's a class reunion tonight. Serena, come with us."

She almost laughed.

Nice try. He clearly thought she was hurt and was scrambling to fix it.

***

The drive over was dead silent. Everyone was stuck in their own heads.

At the hotel, Maggie stayed close to Vincent, chatting about high school like they were still living it. Halfway through a story, she slipped her arm through his.

Serena trailed behind, quiet.

The second they walked into the room, people swarmed.

"What's going on with you two?"

"Didn't think you'd actually end up together after all this time!"

Maggie didn't say a word—just blushed and smiled like it said everything.

Then someone spotted Serena standing by the door.

"And she is...?"

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  • Stamped, But Not Real   Chapter 26

    The room went dead quiet.Vincent's friends looked at each other like he'd lost it."Dude, are you serious? You're actually agreeing to that?"But Vincent didn't even blink. Eyes locked on Serena."Serena, I agree. I'll wait... for you and Liam to..." He choked on the rest, jaw clenched. "Get married. Then divorced. I'll wait till you come back."Now he wanted to act all loyal? Please.Serena didn't even flinch. She just walked out.If he wanted to wait, fine. Let him rot in it. Divorce or not—she wasn't ever going back.***A year later, at the company banquet, Liam dropped to one knee in a crisp suit and pulled out a diamond ring.The heart-shaped stone he'd carved himself caught the light, glowing like something out of a dream."Serena Saun, I love you. Will you marry me?"He was the one proposing, but his eyes were the first to tear up.Serena smiled, brushed away that lone tear, and kissed him as the room erupted in cheers."I will."That night, Liam looked like he'

  • Stamped, But Not Real   Chapter 25

    The next morning, Arya waved Serena over from the window. "Serena, come here—doesn't that look like my brother?"Toothbrush still in her mouth, Serena padded over.Yep. Liam. Standing downstairs, straight as a statue.He definitely couldn't see her from there, but still—her cheeks warmed.Arya smirked. "Tsk, tsk. Showing up first thing just to see his girl? That's commitment. How'd you train him? Spill."Serena turned bright red. "Come eat with us. We can head to work after."Arya grabbed a bread roll and took a savage bite. "No way I'm third-wheeling. You two lovebirds go on. I've got errands."Serena let it drop.She finished getting ready and rushed down, jogging up to Liam."You're early."His eyes locked on hers. "Woke up early. Had nothing better to do... just wanted to see you."Truth was, he hadn't slept. Not a wink.Not because he wasn't tired—he was terrified. What if he woke up and it had all been a dream?So before the sun came up, he was already out there, wai

  • Stamped, But Not Real   Chapter 24

    Serena was getting ready to head out with Liam when she saw Vincent.He looked rough. Pale, red-eyed, like sleep hadn't visited in days.He held out a stack of papers. "Maggie signed the divorce. It'll be final in a month. I'm not tied to her anymore. You can come back now, right?"Like that was the reason she left.Vincent had dumped almost everything—his savings, his pride—to pay off Peter's family and get Maggie to agree. The second the papers were in hand, he ran here, still thinking she'd just... say yes.Serena frowned and took a step back."I've told you—I don't love you. We're done. Your divorce? Not my business. I'm not coming back, Vincent."She paused, looked at Liam, then laced her fingers with his."I'm with someone now. So stop showing up."Vincent just stood there, stunned. His eyes flicked between her and Liam like he couldn't compute.Finally, a bitter smile slid across his face. "Come on. You were crazy about me. You can't just move on like that. Serena, sto

  • Stamped, But Not Real   Chapter 23

    That afternoon, Serena's phone wouldn't stop buzzing.Unknown numbers. Nonstop calls. Her screen lit up with message after message—vile, cruel, endless.She could handle the hate. Barely.But what cut deeper? Her studio was getting dragged with her.Angry users swarmed the company's page:[Fire the homewrecker! What are you waiting for?][Only trash studios hire mistresses—hope you crash and burn.][Serena Saun better get on her knees and apologize to Maggie Cheape!]Serena's eyes burned as she scrolled through the comments.Liam gently took her phone and powered it off."Serena, don't look at that stuff. I've got people on it. Just rest, okay? We'll handle the noise."Arya wrapped her in a hug."You didn't do anything wrong. Don't be scared—we've got your back. We're gonna fix this."Serena knew how hard Arya had worked for the studio.She couldn't let it all crash because of her.Wiping her eyes, she sat up straighter, pulling herself together. Then she started laying

  • Stamped, But Not Real   Chapter 22

    Backstage after the event.Maggie had left scratches down Serena's arm.Liam dabbed at them carefully, his touch gentle. "It's okay. I've got you."Then Arya called—and everything flipped.Footage from the event had leaked. But not the raw version.Someone had edited it—carefully.The video painted Maggie as the heartbroken, fragile wife. Serena? Cold. Untouched. Too perfect.It ended with Maggie getting dragged out by security.Online outrage exploded.The internet didn't hesitate—they took Maggie's side.Comments poured in:[Expose the homewrecker! Who gave her the right to act so smug?][Stealing someone's husband? What kind of person does that? Gross.][Total trash. Everyone at that event owes Maggie Cheape an apology. Come out and say sorry, homewrecker.]Liam clenched his jaw, stuffed his phone in his pocket, and turned to Serena."Come on. I'm taking you home. Don't stress—I'll handle this. Whoever did it? They're not walking away clean."Serena nodded. Now wasn'

  • Stamped, But Not Real   Chapter 21

    It wasn't until Serena heard the voice that it hit her—Maggie.She looked wrecked. Pale, thinner, eyes red and puffy like she hadn't slept in days.Grabbing Serena's sleeve, Maggie broke down."Please... stop seducing my husband. I'm begging you. Don't destroy my family."The whole room froze.The press? Instantly on high alert. Cameras whipped toward them. A few reporters even edged closer, hungry for dirt.Serena clenched her jaw, yanked her arm back, and snapped, "Cut the crap. Vincent and I broke up. I was with him for six years—if anyone wrecked something, it wasn't me."But behind the crocodile tears, Maggie's smile twisted into something dark."So what?" she hissed. "I've got the marriage certificate. I'm his legal wife. What do you have?"The past few weeks had been hell for Maggie.She had been treated like a slave in Peter's house.With no way to pay off his debts, they made her serve his parents.Susan nitpicked everything, lashing out whenever the thought of Pet

  • Stamped, But Not Real   Chapter 20

    Vincent stayed gone for the next week.Serena finally let herself breathe.She knew he'd never really cut things off with Maggie. Not when, after she'd almost died because of Peter, Maggie cried a little and Vincent ran to hold her.Now that she was out of the picture, just like Maggie wanted, there was no way Maggie was letting him go.Maybe she fake-cried again. Maybe they were already playing house. Whatever.Serena was just glad he'd stopped showing up.Liam, though? He wasn't thrilled. With Vincent out of the picture, he didn't have a reason to drive Serena anymore.He missed those rides. That quiet time. The way she was slowly letting her guard down around him.And for now, that was enough.His phone buzzed, pulling him out of it.Serena's text:[Let's have dinner tonight. Arya recommended a new restaurant. Let's try it out!]His eyes lit up. He replied instantly.On the other end, Serena smiled without even realizing it when she saw his response.***A week later,

  • Stamped, But Not Real   Chapter 19

    Serena finally exhaled after downing her tea. If Liam hadn't shown up today—and Vincent kept pushing like that—she had no clue what she would've done.Wait. Hadn't Liam already left? Why was he back?Catching her confused look, Liam fished a phone from his pocket."Not sure which little forgetful thing left this in my car," he teased.Serena saw the case, went red, and snatched it. "Thanks."Not just for the phone—for showing up tonight.Liam grinned. "No need for the manners. You free tomorrow? Let me buy you dinner?"She paused, eyes dodging his."That guy earlier... he's my ex. We're done, but you saw how he is. I'm not ready for anything new."Her point landed. She wasn't clueless—she knew Liam liked her. But she couldn't go there. Not yet.Vincent was like gum stuck to her shoe. Until he was completely gone, she wasn't dragging someone else into the mess.But Liam didn't flinch."You don't owe me anything. Even if this never turns into more, I'm still your friend—and A

  • Stamped, But Not Real   Chapter 18

    Serena froze—until that voice snapped her back.Cold sweat. Blank face. Her body remembered what almost dying felt like.Vincent didn't see any of it. He just thought she was pissed."I know I messed up," he started, desperate. "I planned the wedding. Bought the dress you liked. Just come back, we can—"She shoved him. Hard. Then slapped him clean across the face."I told you. We're done. What the hell are you doing here?"None of it made sense. He was married to Maggie. And now he wanted Serena back? Did he really think he could have both?The thought alone made her nauseous. She stepped back, cold and distant.Her stare sliced right through him. Vincent's chest tightened."Please don't go," he croaked. "I was stupid. I let Maggie hurt you, but she's gone now. I kicked her out. Just... come back."She looked at him like he was dirt. "If you actually know how bad you screwed me over, how the hell do you even have the balls to show up? And seriously—what kinda delusional crap

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