💔 cringefail marriage letsgooooooo
[...] Coriolanus surveyed the scene with disinterest, his gaze flicking briefly to his son before settling on Livia. "You're still here, wasting time."
“Wasting time? I’m with Crassus—”
“Hand him over" Coriolanus snapped, gesturing to the servant standing by the door. The servant hesitated, unsure, until Coriolanus' glare froze him in place. “Now.”
The servant rushed forward, carefully lifting the baby from Livia’s arms, carrying Crassus from the room. As soon as the door shut, Coriolanus turned back to Livia. He grabbed her wrist, yanking her to her feet. With a sharp motion, he pushed her, and she stumbled backward, falling to the floor.
“Let me be clear, Livia. I won’t poison you" he crouched slightly, his face level with hers. “But you will know your place. You are my wife. That title is useful. You are useful. But that’s all you are to me.”
“Why don’t you just get rid of me? It's not like you've held back when it came to that before."
Coriolanus chuckled darkly, straightening to his full height. “Get rid of you? Oh, Livia, you silly, naive thing. You bring too many advantages for me to discard you. The Cardew name. Your standing in the Capitol. Your family's money. Let's not forget your ability to produce an heir” he smirked, his tone turning cruel. “No one will ever love you, Livia. They only love what you can give them. It’s always been that way, hasn’t it?”
His words struck like a blade, and Livia felt as if someone had punched her in the chest.
No one will ever love you, her father's voice echoed in her head.
Satisfied that his words had the effect he'd hoped for, Coriolanus adjusted his tie and turned toward the door. “Do try to compose yourself before dinner. And remember this, Livia: in this house, you have no power. Only purpose."
The door clicked shut behind him, leaving Livia alone. For a moment, she stayed on the floor, her hands trembling as his words echoed in her mind. Then, slowly, she pulled herself up and returned to her seat. Her tears came silently, her body shaking with silent sobs. [...]
