She Who Laughs Last

⚠️Content Warning: Abuse.⚠️

Silence...

That was all she heard. Silence. She could hear nothing. No breathing, no heartbeat, no footsteps. Nothing. It was as if the world around her had frozen in place. She tried to move, to speak, but her body wouldn't obey her commands.

The silence was shattered by the sudden slamming of the bedroom door. Tears welled up in her eyes as she struggled to regain control of her limbs. The pressure on her chest eased, and she gasped for air. The room spun around her as she crumpled to the floor, crouching in a fetal position. Her heart raced; her breaths came in ragged gasps. She tried to stand up, but her legs wouldn't support her weight.

She sat there, crouching in front of the door, her arms wrapped tightly around her knees as if trying to hold herself together. With great effort, she stood up, wincing as pain shot through her battered body. Cuts and bruises covered her skin, and tears streamed down her face. She stumbled to the bathroom, gripping the sink for support as she looked at her reflection in the mirror.

Her brown skin was covered with bruises in various shades of purple, blue, and red. Tears streamed down her face, making her mascara run, blending her pain into an ugly mix of black and blue. She looked like a broken doll, discarded and forgotten. The person who had done this to her... she didn't even want to think about it.

Her braids, once neat and tidy, now hung limply around her face, tangled and dirty. Her black hair was dishevelled and matted. She lifted a trembling hand to her cheek, wincing as the touch registered as pain. The mirror reflected her pain-filled eyes, wide with fear. The light in her brown eyes, normally warm and inviting, had been extinguished, replaced by a hollow, empty stare.

Tears blurred her vision as the reality of her situation crashed down upon her. This couldn't be her life, her reality. But deep down, she knew the truth. The man she had once loved, the man she had given everything to, was the same one who had hurt her the most.

As her cries grew louder, echoing off the bathroom walls, a small, hesitant knock sounded at the door. "Mommy?" a tiny voice called from the other side. "Are you okay, Mommy?"

The woman's heart pounded as she stared at the door. She wiped away another tear, steadying her breath. "Yes, baby," she managed to croak, her voice barely audible. "I'm... I'm okay." She took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. "Just give me a moment, okay? I'll be right out."

"But-"

"Kaia," the woman interrupted, her voice firm this time. "Please go. Now." She took another deep breath, steadying herself. "I'll be out in a moment. Just... go back to your room, and... and wait for me there, okay?"

"Okay, Mommy." There was a pause, and then a click of the bedroom door. The woman listened to the sound of her daughter's footsteps retreating down the hallway, her heart aching with every step. When she was certain that Kaia was gone, she wiped her face dry and straightened up, taking a deep breath to steady herself before she opened the bathroom door.

The stale scent of alcohol and sweat hung heavily in the air as she emerged from the bathroom. Pieces of glass crunched underfoot as she carefully made her way across the bedroom, wincing at each step. She forced herself to focus on the task at hand, to ignore the pain that throbbed through her body. She needed to clean up the mess, to make it look like nothing had happened.

As she picked up the first piece of glass, a horrifying image flashed in her mind: her husband throwing it at her, his face twisted with rage. Cole's tall, imposing figure loomed in her memory, his brown hair disheveled and his brown eyes burning with anger. Despite his handsome features, the fear he instilled in her clouded any attraction she might have once felt. The memory of his white-knuckled fists and contorted expression sent a shiver down her spine, and she had to force herself to breathe slowly and steadily. Carefully, she picked up another piece of glass, wincing as it cut into her fingers. Blood dripped onto the carpet, staining it a deep red.

Her eyes scanned the room, taking in the shards of glass, the overturned lamp, and the blood-stained carpet. The mess was overwhelming, but she had to clean it up. She couldn't leave it like this. Then, her eyes landed on a picture frame. There they were, her and Cole, on April 20th, 2016. The day that should've been the happiest of her life. But it... it had all gone wrong somehow.

They'd gotten married because of an unexpected pregnancy, their first child, Tyson. However, when she was four months along, she lost him. Not naturally, in her arms. Cole had hit her so hard that he'd caused a miscarriage. She had tried to tell herself that it was an accident, that he didn't mean it, but deep down, she knew the truth.

The woman shook her head, trying to push the memories away. But they clung to her like a second skin, a constant reminder of the nightmare she was trapped in. She finished cleaning up the room, careful not to step on any more glass or disturb the bloodstains on the carpet. When she was done, she collapsed onto the bed, her body aching from the physical exertion and emotional exhaustion.

Then there was a knock at the front door. The woman's heart skipped a beat as she forced herself off the bed and slowly made her way down the hallway. She slowly walked down the stairs and reached the entrance before stopping and taking a deep breath to steady her nerves. A quick peek through the peephole revealed who awaited her: his family.

"Serenity," Vivienne shouted, her voice muffled by the closed door. "Open this door right now!" Serenity sighed as she trembled, her heart racing in fear. She knew she couldn't hide from them forever. She took a deep breath and slowly turned the knob, steeling herself for the confrontation that lay ahead.

The door opened, and there stood her in-laws. Her mother-in-law Vivienne's brown eyes narrowed in anger as she stared at her. Vivienne Vale was a tall and stern lady who wore a neat bun of grey hair framing her pale, wrinkled face. Despite owning a successful boutique, she had always been rather lazy, often leaving the day-to-day operations to her employees and relying on her husband's money.

Beside her stood Roland, her father-in-law. He was a tall man, his frame towering over even his wife, Vivienne. His long, grey beard flowed down to his chest, framing his bald head. He wore a well-tailored suit that spoke of his affluent lifestyle, a result of his various business ventures. Most notably, he was the CEO of Vale Watch Company, a brand that catered to the wealthy and elite. However, beneath his successful exterior lay a rude and sharp-tongued man who didn't hesitate to belittle others to get what he wanted.

Behind them were Delilah and Liora, their daughters. Delilah was 27 with long brown hair that was always styled perfectly, often hanging in loose waves down her back. Her expensive clothing showed off her figure, which she maintained meticulously despite her sedentary lifestyle. Her brown eyes looked unbothered and uninterested.

Even though she was only 27, she had been married twice and divorced just as many times because of her infidelity. Delilah had always been the kind of woman who craved excitement and thrill, and she had found it in the arms of various men. Her first husband had been a successful lawyer, charming and ambitious, but she had quickly grown bored of his predictable routine and had sought solace in the arms of a younger, more adventurous artist. The second marriage had been to a wealthy businessman, who had promised her the world, but all she cared about was his credit card. Both men had been blinded by love, but in the end, they had seen her for what she truly was: a heartless seductress who used her beauty to get what she wanted. And now she lived off her parents' money.

On the other hand, Liora was 22, the youngest of the Vale siblings, and she had never known anything but wealth. She had short blonde hair that curled in an artful mess, which she often paired with a mini skirt and a crop top that accentuated her toned abs, a result of her obsessive workout regimen. Her brown eyes were usually glued to her phone, scrolling through social media with a bored expression that suggested she was searching for her next drama to stir up.

Liora had once dreamed of being a model, but her career had fizzled out before it had even started. Although she was beautiful, she had a lack of talent, and the way she treated others had earned her a reputation in the industry as a witch. Now, she basked in the attention she received from her wealthy friends and the men who were drawn to her. She lived in a bubble where she was the centre of the universe, and everyone else was a supporting character in her story.

"Serenity!" Vivienne shouted again, causing Serenity to flinch. Forcing a breath through her clenched teeth, she kept her head down. Today wasn't the day for this.

"G-good evening," she mumbled.

Ignoring her, Roland, Delilah, and Liora pushed past, entering the mansion. Serenity was left facing Vivienne. "My son came home upset," Vivienne spat. "What did you do to him?"

Serenity looked at her mother-in-law... was she blind? Couldn't she see what he had done to her? Her heart sank at the accusation. "I... I didn't do anything," she stammered. "But he-"

"He what?" Vivienne demanded.

"He hit me," Serenity whispered.

Vivienne scoffed, stepping closer. "Then you shouldn't have upset him." Her voice dripped with venom. "Your duty as his wife is to make him happy, no matter what the cost. You owe him that much, considering how much he's done for you and your family."

Serenity's breath hitched. "You... you think this is right?" Her voice trembled.

Vivienne narrowed her eyes. "What I think is irrelevant. Your duty as a wife is to make your husband happy, and if that means enduring a little pain, then so be it."

"Now, enough of this nonsense," Vivienne said as she entered the mansion, "I hope dinner is ready. I'm famished!" She shouted as she walked further into the mansion.

Serenity remained frozen, a statue of disbelief. How could they not see what had happened? Was this truly her life? A life where violence was justified, her pain dismissed? Swallowing back tears, she turned. At the top of the stairs, Kaia's worried eyes met hers.

"Mommy?" Kaia whispered, her small hands gripping the banister. At the top of the stairs, Kaia's worried eyes met hers. Kaia was only seven, with curly black hair that fell in soft ringlets around her mixed complexion and big brown eyes filled with concern far beyond her years. She was petite, with a bright smile that could light up any room, but today, her gaze was clouded with unease.

Serenity's heart ached. Her daughter shouldn't have to witness this kind of behaviour. Kaia was so innocent, so sweet. She had always been the light in Serenity's life, a constant reminder of the love and joy that could exist amidst the darkness. But now, even Kaia was beginning to see the ugliness that surrounded them.

"Kaia, sweetheart," Serenity said gently. "Grandma and Grandpa are here. Do you want to say hi?"

Kaia shook her head. "No. I don't like them." She turned and ran back upstairs.

Serenity's chest tightened. This wasn't right. Not for her, not for Kaia. But before she could follow, Vivienne's voice called out. "Serenity!"

Serenity sighed. Ignoring her mother-in-law had consequences, a battle she couldn't win today. She looked back at the stairs but sighed and made her way to the dining room. The dining room was huge, with a long table that could seat at least twenty people. Yet as big as the dining room was... she felt so empty.

"Where's dinner?" Vivienne demanded.

"It'll be ready soon," Serenity stammered, anxiety gnawing at her gut. "I just need a little more time." As she turned to leave, Delilah's voice cut through the air.

"Useless," she muttered.

Serenity's legs wobbled as she made her way back to the kitchen. In the kitchen, she grabbed the counter to steady herself, taking deep breaths to fight the nausea that threatened to overwhelm her. Why? Why this life? A horrible husband, in-laws who saw her as nothing.

Taking a deep breath, she forced the tears back. A few more years. Until Kaia was at least sixteen. Cole was..."normal" when it came to Kaia. He had never laid a finger on their daughter, and Cole had a successful career as an executive in his father's watch company. He was cold...yes... but he provided.

And leaving... Where would she go? Back to her childhood home, the exact replica of her current situation. Her father was a replica of Cole. He used to beat her mother. She couldn't go back there. Cole, her supposed saviour at sixteen, had turned into a monster. A monster who had no place for a wife who had dared to speak up to defy him.

And her mother... was blinded by money. She didn't understand. Didn't care. Her mother had begged her to stay and pray for change that never came.

"The prudent see danger and take refuge," a Bible verse echoed in her mind. But where was her refuge?

⚠️Content Warning: Abuse.⚠️

Serenity cleared the table with a shaky hand, a sigh escaping her lips. Her in-laws' nightly visit was over, and as always, it left her feeling drained. The dining room seemed to close in on her, as if the walls were pressing in, suffocating her. Serenity made her way to the kitchen and began washing the dishes, her movements slow. Kaia, stood on a stool beside her and helped dry the plates.

Serenity watched Kaia dry the dishes with careful precision and Serenity's heart couldn't help but break a little more. She was only seven, but she knew the drill. She knew she had to stay quiet and out of sight when Cole was in one of his moods, and she knew to help her mother clean up the mess when the guests left. It was a routine that had become all too familiar.

"Alright, one more, sweetheart," Serenity said, handing Kaia a plate. Her voice was soft, but it trembled slightly. She didn't want to scare her daughter. She didn't want Kaia to know the depth of the fear that was slowly consuming her. Kaia took the plate without looking up, her eyes focused on the task at hand.

Just as Serenity was about to speak, the words refused to come out as the unmistakable sound of the front door opening echoed through the house. Her heart pounded in her chest like a drum as she heard Cole struggle to open the front door. Her eyes widened in alarm.

"Kaia, honey," Serenity said, her voice dropping to a low urgency. "Up to your room, now!"

Kaia who understood the urgency in her mother's voice, nodded and quickly climbed off the stool as Serenity rinsed her hands. Kaia darted past her mother, the patter of her bare feet disappearing up the carpeted stairs. Serenity ran close behind her. As they reached upstairs, the front door swung open with a bang.

Serenity practically shoved Kaia into her bedroom. "Stay here, okay, honey?" she whispered, her voice tight with fear. She rummaged in her apron pocket, her fingers closing around the small, cold key she always kept hidden there. With trembling hands, she locked Kaia's bedroom door, her heart pounding violently against her ribs.

Serenity took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart as she slowly walked down the stairs. She reached the bottom step and turned around, her gaze falling on Cole.

He was drunk. Again. His face was flushed, his breath reeking of alcohol. Serenity's heart sank as she took in the familiar sight of her husband's rage. She forced herself to remain calm, to not show any fear. It was dangerous to provoke him when he was like this.

"Took you long enough you fucking cow!" Cole slurred, his eyes narrowing as he glared at Serenity. His eyes were red and unfocused as they landed on Serenity. "What th' fuck did you do with my beer?"

Serenity forced a smile, "Hey, honey. Welcome home. You look...tired."

Cole took a step toward her, his eyes boring into hers. "Where's my goddamn beer, you stupid bitch? I told you to get it ready." His voice rose with each word, echoing through the house. Serenity fought to keep her composure, her heart racing as she forced herself to meet his gaze.

Serenity swallowed, the knot in her throat threatening to choke her. "It's late, honey. Why don't I help you get upstairs, and you can sleep it off?" She extended her hand, hoping to calm him.

He walked toward her; his movements unsteady as he held the half-empty bottle of liquor in his hand. "Upstairs? You think I want to sleep, you stupid bitch?" His breath reeked of alcohol as he spit out the words. "I want a fucking beer!" He lunged forward, grabbing her arm roughly. "Where's my beer?"

Serenity flinched as her husband's grip tightened on her arm. "Honey, please..." She whispered; her voice barely audible. "You don't want to do this. You're drunk."

Cole threw the bottle, the bottle smashed against the wall behind her, spraying glass and liquid across the entrance. His face was flushed, and his fists were clenched. "Where's my fucking beer?" he screamed, his voice echoing through the house. "You think I'm playing games with you?"

Before Serenity could respond, she felt his hands on her neck. His fingers dug in, cutting off her breath. Tears stung her eyes as she struggled to breathe, her vision starting to blur. "Where is it?!" Cole hissed, his breath hot against her ear. "Tell me or I swear to God I'll kill you!"

She could feel her strength waning, her body going limp as she gasped for air. With a final surge of desperation, she twisted out of his grip and fell to the ground. Her vision swam, black spots dancing across her vision. Cole kicked her, sending a sharp pain through her side.

"I swear to God, Serenity," he hissed, his breath hot against her ear. "If you don't tell me where that beer is right now, I'll make sure you regret it. You'll wish you were dead."

Cole towered over her, his face twisted in anger. She could feel the warmth of his breath on her neck as he leaned down, his words cutting through the air. Serenity cowered on the ground, tears streaming down her face. She knew there was no winning this fight; her only hope was to appease him, to somehow make him understand that she was on his side.

"Cole, I'm sorry," she choked out. "I didn't mean to upset you. I'll get you your beer right away." She struggled to her feet, her knees wobbly from the fear and pain. As she stumbled toward the kitchen, she glanced over her shoulder at him, hoping he would not follow.

He watched her for a moment, his expression slowly softening. "That's better," he muttered, taking a step forward. "Now, make sure you get me a cold one."

Serenity hurried into the kitchen, her movements jerky and panicked. She grabbed a beer from the refrigerator and rushed back into the living room, handing it to her husband. "Here you go, hon. Is there anything else I can get for you?"

Cole took the beer with a growl and nodded; his gaze still fixed on her. "Yeah, get me the remote." She did as he said, handing it to him. He took a long swig of his beer, then switched on the TV, flipping through the channels with a muttered stream of profanity.

⚠️ End of Content Warning: Abuse.⚠️

She walked out of the living room, her heart still racing, and went back to the entranceway where she began to clean the broken glass. Tears flowed down her cheeks as she carefully picked up each shard, not wanting to cut herself and make things worse. As she finished cleaning, she glanced back at Cole, who was now engrossed in the TV. He seemed to have calmed down a bit, but she could still see the anger simmering just beneath the surface.

"Kaia." Serenity said before she ran upstairs and made her way to Kaia's bedroom. She brought out the key from her apron and opened the door quietly, peeking inside. Kaia was sat in the corner, hugging her knees to her chest and she had fallen asleep. Tears welled up in Serenity's eyes as she saw her daughter sleeping yet trembling, her forehead damp with sweat.

Serenity walked up to her and slowly woke her up. "Kaia, sweetie, it's Mommy. You need to sleep on your bed now, okay? I'll help you move." She nodded towards the bed and carefully guided Kaia over to it, tucking her in and kissing her forehead.

Kaia fell back sleep instantly, her breathing slowly returning to normal. Serenity sat beside her daughter's bed on the floor, taking her hand in hers. Tears fell from her eyes as she looked at her little girl, feeling helpless and heartbroken.

The morning light creeping through Kaia's window woke Serenity from her restless slumber. She had spent the night on the cold, hard floor, her thoughts swirling in a tornado of fear and anger. Her body ached, especially her neck where Cole's grip had left marks like a noose of pain.

She forced a small smile for Kaia, who stirred beside her, before tiptoeing out of the room. Downstairs, Cole sprawled on the couch, the air thick with the stench of stale beer. Empty bottles littered the coffee table, a testament to his rage from the night before. Serenity stepped over the mess; her body still tense with fear. The house was eerily quiet, the only sound the occasional snore escaping her husband's slack jaw.

Serenity glanced at the clock – 7 am. Taking a deep breath, she nudged his shoulder. "Cole, wake up," she whispered. "You need to get ready for work."

He groaned, blinking his bloodshot eyes open. "What the fuck, Serenity?" he grumbled, pushing her hand away. "I said I didn't want to be disturbed."

Serenity took a step back, her heart racing. "You're going to be late for work," she said, her voice tight. "You need to get ready."

Cole groaned and sat up, rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand. He mumbled something unintelligible before pushing himself off the couch. As he stumbled towards the stairs, he paused, looking back at Serenity with a sneer. "Clean up this mess before I get back," he slurred, pointing at the bottles scattered around the living room. "And have dinner ready. I don't want to hear any bullshit about you being tired or hurt."

Serenity nodded, her eyes cast down. She knew better than to argue with him, especially when he was in one of his moods. Once Cole was out of sight, she let out a shaky breath and headed to the kitchen to start breakfast. The smell of burned toast filled the air, a reminder of the chaos from the night before. She tossed the blackened bread into the trash and began again, her hands trembling as she tried to focus on the task at hand.

By 7:30, breakfast was ready – toast and eggs for Cole and pancakes with Kaia's favorite blueberries.

"Good morning, sleepyhead," Serenity said, entering Kaia's room. Kaia, still half asleep, looked up at her mother with sleepy eyes. "It's time to get ready for school, honey," Serenity whispered, her voice still shaky from the night's events.

Kaia nodded and slowly climbed out of bed, her small frame a stark contrast to the oversized comforter. Serenity couldn't help but notice the dark circles under her daughter's eyes. She hoped that one day, Kaia would not have to witness the horrors she had to endure.

Serenity helped Kaia into her private school uniform, her fingers carefully braiding her hair. "You look beautiful, darling," she whispered, trying to ignore the bruises marring her own reflection in the mirror. Kaia yawned and nodded; her eyes still half-closed.

"Mommy, are you okay?" Kaia asked, her eyes finally focusing on Serenity's face.

Serenity squeezed her daughter's hand, forcing another smile. "Just fine, sweetheart. Now, you go downstairs and eat breakfast. We don't want you to be late."

Kaia studied her mother for a moment longer, then nodded slowly and headed downstairs. Serenity watched her go, a wave of protectiveness washing over her. Looking back into the mirror, she saw the bruises on her eyes, neck, face and a sigh escaped her lips. This life, this constant fear, it wasn't fair to Kaia. Serenity steeled herself and walked into the master bedroom. Cole was already dressed, a scowl etched on his face. He glanced up as she entered.

"What the fuck took you so long?" He snarled, slamming his fist into the dresser. The mirror rattled ominously.

Serenity flinched, her hands shaking as she handed him his tie. "I'm sorry, I'll be faster next time," she murmured, her eyes downcast.

"Do my tie," Cole barked, throwing it at Serenity. She caught it deftly, her hands shaking slightly.

Serenity's hands trembled slightly, but she walked towards him and adjusted his tie in silence. Once done, he straightened his suit, not bothering to look at her. He headed out of the room without a word. Serenity followed, the familiar ache in her heart a dull throb. Kaia sat at the table, her breakfast barely touched. She looked up with a hopeful smile.

"Good morning, Daddy," she said meekly, her voice a stark contrast to the tension in the room.

Cole grunted in response, as he took a seat at the table, his eyes bloodshot and his breath reeking of alcohol. He grabbed a piece of toast from the plate, barely acknowledging Kaia's greeting. Serenity took a deep breath, her hands still shaking as she sat down across from her husband.

Serenity forced a smile, serving Cole his breakfast with trembling hands. "You know, honey, maybe you should have some coffee with your breakfast," she suggested, trying to keep her voice steady. "It'll help with the hangover."

"I don't have a fucking hangover," Cole snapped, grabbing the plate of eggs from her. "And keep that shit to yourself."

Serenity's smile never wavered, but the tremor in her voice did. "Of course, dear."

Kaia picked at her pancakes. She knew better than to say anything. Cole devoured his breakfast in silence, then stood abruptly and left for work. The silence was heavy, but for now, at least, it was peaceful.

Serenity walked into the kitchen with Cole's plate of eggs, her body still bruised from his rough grip the night before. The smell of his aftershave filled the air, a constant reminder of his presence. He had always had a way with words, but the ones that fell from his lips most frequently were laced with anger and bitterness. "Fuck," he'd say, when the toast was burnt, or when she didn't have his tie straight enough. "Bitch," when she forgot to warm his coffee, or when she dared to ask for his money.

The clock on the microwave blinked accusingly: 8:00 am. Serenity's stomach lurched. The bus arrived in twenty minutes, and they were nowhere near ready.

"Kaia, honey!" she called, her voice laced with panic. "Come on, we gotta move fast! Bus is coming soon!"

Kaia entered the kitchen and put her plate in the sink. Serenity scooped Kaia into a hug, the action sending a sharp pang through her neck. She winced, hoping her daughter hadn't noticed. "Go get your school bag and wear your shoes and your jacket, Mommy has to quickly go and get ready too."

Kaia scurried off, leaving Serenity to race against the clock. A quick five-minute shower was all she could manage. She threw on clothes – a turtleneck hiding the marks on her neck, foundation to hide her bruises on her face, glasses to hide her eyes and baggy sweats to hide her legs. She looked at herself in the mirror, the reflection staring back at her a sad parody of what once was. "Good enough," she murmured, steeling herself.

Downstairs, Kaia was already tying her shoes, backpack slung over her shoulder. "Ready, Kaia bug?" Serenity asked, forcing a smile.

Kaia nodded; her brow furrowed slightly. "Mommy, are you sure you're okay?"

Serenity knelt before her daughter, tucking a loose curl behind her ear. "Just a little sleepy, that's all. But you, you look like a superstar in that uniform!"

Kaia beamed; the worry momentarily forgotten. She grabbed a banana and a juice box from the counter and followed Serenity outside.

It was officially the first day of autumn, and the crisp, cool air was a stark contrast to the oppressive heat of the house. Serenity locked the door behind them, a silent prayer escaping her lips. After 20 minutes of speed walking and running, the bus stop came into view just as the familiar rumble of the bus's engine grew louder. Kaia looked up at her mother, her eyes wide with excitement, "Mommy, look! The bus is here!"

Relief washed over Serenity as they scrambled aboard. They were very late, yet the bus had also come late. Kaia found a seat near the front and Serenity sat beside her, her eyes glancing at the other passengers. They all had their own lives, their own problems, but she knew that none of them could fathom the horrors she faced every night. She took Kaia's hand in hers, squeezing it tightly as the bus pulled away from the curb.

The bus rumbled through the quiet streets, past huge expensive houses that were stark reminders of the gilded cage she lived in. They lived in the middle of nowhere, a neighbourhood where the rich and wealthy lived and there was only one bus every 2 hours. Serenity felt the comforting weight of Kaia's hand in hers, grounding her in the present moment. Her thoughts swirled, but she pushed them aside for now.

Yet Serenity couldn't help but sigh. This wasn't their world. Cole had forbidden her from touching any of their – well, his – four cars. He wouldn't even spare the old pickup truck for her to use. "You're a woman," he'd say. "You're not capable of handling a vehicle. You're going to wreck it." So here they were, taking the bus. But it was a small price to pay for Kaia's safety, for the semblance of normalcy.

Kaia, oblivious to her mother's internal turmoil, chattered away about her school day ahead, her voice filled with excitement. Serenity listened with a forced smile, her heart aching for the innocence her daughter still possessed. She had to keep her safe, keep her away from the monster that lurked in their home. Fifteen minutes later, the bus stopped at a deserted bus stop on the outskirts of town.

"This is it, Kaia," Serenity said, her voice a forced cheerfulness as they continued walking. Another twenty minutes of walking, past fields and abandoned barns finally led them to the school gates. There, a scene of utter chaos unfolded. Luxury cars lined the street, uniformed chauffeurs waiting patiently, while parents fussed over their children who were wearing designer shoes. And there was Serenity, her daughter, an executive's daughter and a chairman's grandaughter walking hand-in-hand with her mom, who looked like she'd just escaped a warzone. Serenity squeezed Kaia's hand, a surge of fierce protectiveness washing over her.

"Don't you worry, baby," she whispered, her voice low and steady. "We'll be okay." Kaia, ever the optimist, simply smiled and skipped towards the school doors, her backpack bouncing. Serenity watched her go, a single tear tracing a path down her cheek.

Serenity sighed as she trudged back to the bus stop, the weight of the morning settling on her shoulders. Her phone buzzed in her pocket, a welcome distraction. It was Khalia, her cousin and closest confidante.