She Who Laughs Last

Chapter Five: Beneath the Surface

Serenity tiptoed into Kaia's room, the faint glow of the nightlight casting shadows on the walls. Kaia laid under her blankets, a peaceful smile playing on her lips. Serenity brushed a stray curl from her daughter's forehead, a pang of guilt twisting in her gut. How could she live like this, with fear and pain as their constant companions?

Leaving a soft kiss on Kaia's cheek, Serenity made her way downstairs. The house was silent, the darkness thick and suffocating. She sank onto the expensive armchair in the living room, the familiar ache in her ribs a grim reminder of the evening's events. The silence was broken by the sound of Cole's snores from the bedroom.

Tears welled up in her eyes, blurring the edges of the room. The events of the night replayed in her mind, each harsh word and brutal blow a fresh wound. She knew she couldn't go on like this. For Kaia's sake, she had to find a way out. But how?

Before she knew it, she slept off, her dreams plagued by the echoes of Cole's rage. The following morning, Serenity woke to the sound of her phone ringing. She flinched, her heart hammering against her ribs. Squinting at her phone, it was the alarm she had set for 6 AM. Cole would be waking up soon. She had to be strong. For Kaia.

Wincing, she sat up, every movement sending a fresh wave of pain through her bruised body. She forced herself to stand, her legs wobbly. n the kitchen, she began the same routine as always: eggs sizzling in the pan, toast popping up, and the smell of coffee filling the room. Each task was a silent protest against the pain, a declaration of survival.

Serenity got Kaia ready for school, moving in a haze of pain. She dressed her in her school uniform and brushed her hair, trying to ignore the throbbing in her ribs. The bruises on her own face she covered with a thick layer of makeup, hiding the evidence of the night's horrors. They stepped out into the early morning light, Serenity's hand tight around Kaia's as they made their way to the bus stop. She could feel the stares of the other parents, their eyes lingering on her bruises despite her best efforts to hide them.

The walk to the bus stop was a blur of pain and guilt. The bus pulled up, and Serenity helped Kaia climb the steps, her ribs screaming with every movement. She watched as her daughter disappeared into the safety of the schoolyard, feeling a temporary reprieve from the fear that had gripped her heart all night

The house felt emptier than ever as she stepped back inside. She moved through the motions of her morning chores like a ghost, her body protesting with every step. The floors needed mopping, the laundry was piled high, but Serenity couldn't muster the strength. She collapsed onto the couch, the ache in her ribs a constant reminder of her failure to protect herself and Kaia.

The ringing of her phone pierced through Serenity's foggy thoughts. he flinched, her heart hammering against her ribs. Squinting at the caller ID, she saw it was Khalia. With a shaky hand, she answered the call.

"Khalia?" Serenity's voice was hoarse, the word barely a whisper as she gripped the phone tightly.

"Serenity, hey! Just checking in, how are you doing?" Khalia's voice was warm and soothing, a stark contrast to the icy silence of the house.

"I'm fine," Serenity lied, her voice barely above a whisper. The weight of her situation was crushing her, but she didn't want to burden Khalia with the truth. Not yet.

"And how's your mom doing?" Khalia asked gently.

Serenity closed her eyes, the memory of her mother's cold and heartless words from the hospital still fresh in her mind. "She's okay," she replied, her voice thick with emotion. "Thanks for asking."

"Serenity, is everything okay? There's something wrong with your voice," Khalia pressed, her concern evident.

"No, really, I'm fine," Serenity insisted, desperate to avoid revealing the truth. But she knew Khalia, could see through her facade better than anyone.

The silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken words. Just then, another call came in. It was Vivienne.

"Khalia, I... I have to go. I'll talk to you later," Serenity stammered, the urgency in her voice betraying her forced composure.

"Alright, Serenity. But promise you'll call me if you need anything, anything at all," Khalia said, her voice firm but filled with worry.

Serenity murmured a promise before hanging up. Taking a deep breath, she answered her mother-in-law's call.

"Mother? What's wrong?" Serenity's voice was tight, bracing herself for the latest round of accusations or demands.

Vivienne's voice, clipped and sharp, cut through the line. "Serenity, it's Wednesday. Don't forget."

"I...I...I know," Serenity replied, her voice quivering, "I'll be there soon."

Before Serenity could say another word, Vivienne ended the call. Serenity stared at the phone, a wave of nausea washing over her. Wednesday. The day she dreaded, the day she had to work in her mother-in-law's boutique. No pay, just more work, more judgment, and more reminders of her own worthlessness.

Glancing at the clock, she saw it was 11:00 am. The taxi her mother-in-law sent would be here any minute. Serenity felt a flicker of rebellion, a tiny voice inside her urging her to refuse. But the thought of Cole's anger, of Kaia's safety, was too much. With a heavy sigh, she pushed herself off the couch and started to get ready.

With a resigned sigh, Serenity trudged upstairs. "Time to put on something more presentable," she muttered, mimicking her mother-in-law's words.

The hot water of the shower cascaded over Serenity, mixing with her silent tears. She took her time, letting the heat soothe her bruises and wash away the fear from the night before. As she stepped out, the cold floor tiles sent a shiver down her spine. She closed her eyes, picturing the long-sleeved dress she knew her mother-in-law preferred. It wasn't her style at all, but arguments with Vivienne weren't worth the trouble.

The insistent honking of a car pulled Serenity from her thoughts. "The taxi's here," she muttered, a sigh escaping her lips. Slipping on the dress, she raced downstairs, grabbed her shoes by the door, and locked the house behind her.

As the taxi sped through the city, Serenity couldn't help but steal glances out the window. The world was moving at a pace that felt both too fast and too slow, a stark contrast to the stillness of her own life. She felt a sudden urge to tell the driver to keep going, to take her far away from the prison of her marriage and the suffocating grip of Vivienne's expectations. But she knew that was a luxury she couldn't afford.

Reaching a stop, the driver announced, "Velvet Elites, ma'am."

Serenity thanked the driver and stepped out onto the sidewalk. Velvet Elites, her mother-in-law's boutique, loomed before her, a gleaming bastion of luxury that she had become all too familiar with. The shop's name was etched in gold letters, reflecting the sun's glare. It was a stark contrast to the dull ache in her chest, a constant reminder of her subservience.

Taking a deep breath, Serenity pushed open the doors and entered. The interior was the definition of luxury. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, casting a soft glow on the racks of designer clothes. The scent of expensive perfumes wafted through the air, and the sound of Vivienne's heels clicked sharply against the marble floor as she walked towards her.

"There you are, Serenity," Vivienne greeted, her voice cold and clipped. She didn't bother to hide her disapproval as she scrutinized Serenity from head to toe. "You're late."

Serenity forced a smile. "Good afternoon, mother. I'm sorry for the delay." She knew that Vivienne's coldness was just the tip of the iceberg. Working here was a silent punishment for her failure to live up to their standards.

Vivienne scoffed, dismissing the apology with a wave of her hand. "Just get to work. We have a busy day ahead."

Serenity spent the next few hours in a blur of activity. She straightened clothes, restocked shelves, and assisted customers, all while Vivienne's critical eye followed her every move.

"Serenity, darling," Vivienne called out from behind the cash register, her voice commanding attention. "These are my friends, Veronica, Beatrice, and Cynthia. Show them our new summer collection, would you?"

Serenity nodded, her insides churning with a familiar dread. She knew what was coming.

Veronica, a woman with a face so tight it looked like it was painted on, raised an eyebrow as Serenity approached with the latest summer collection. "Vivienne, dear, is this your new...assistant?"

"More like my useless daughter-in-law," Vivienne corrected, her smile never wavering as Serenity approached the trio of well-dressed women. The words sliced through Serenity's heart like a hot knife through butter, but she kept her expression neutral.

"She's been married to my son for 8 years and she's only managed to give Cole one child, and wouldn't you know it, it's a girl." The words cut through the air like shards of glass, each syllable a sting to Serenity's soul. She felt the weight of Vivienne's disdain as she held up a frilly summer dress for Veronica's perusal.

Beatrice, a woman with a sharp nose and sharper tongue, chimed in, "Such a shame, Vivienne. Cole deserves a son to carry on the family name."

Cynthia, the third friend, offered a brittle smile, her eyes raking over Serenity's bruised face. "What does she do? Besides using Cole's money, of course."

Serenity's cheeks flushed with humiliation as she held out the dress, her trembling hand betraying her. "I take care of our daughter, Kaia, and help around the house," she replied, her voice as steady as she could manage.

Veronica took the dress, her eyes narrowing as she scrutinized the fabric. "Ah, yes, Kaia. The little girl," she said with a sneer. "It's such a disappointment to Cole, isn't it?"

"I always told Cole marrying her was a mistake," Vivienne whispered to her friends, her voice just loud enough for Serenity to hear. The words sliced through Serenity's already fragile self-esteem, leaving a trail of pain in their wake but she kept her head down, refusing to give them the satisfaction of a reaction.

The rest of the afternoon crawled by. Vivienne continued her snide comments and humiliating jibes, her friends chiming in with their own cruel observations. Serenity felt like a doll on display, her worth measured by the number of items she sold and her ability to keep the customers satisfied. By 2:30 pm, Serenity felt drained and emotionally bruised.

"Alright, Serenity, that's enough for today," Vivienne declared, tossing a wad of bills at Serenity. "Here's your taxi fare. Go pick up your...daughter," she spat out the word as if it left a bitter taste.

Serenity picked up the money, her eyes never meeting Vivienne's. She knew better than to argue or defend herself. With a nod, she turned to leave, her heart racing. As she stepped outside, the fresh air was like a slap in the face, bringing her back to reality. The taxi was waiting, the driver's eyes reflecting a mix of pity and impatience. She slid into the backseat, feeling the leather stick to her damp palms.

As the car drove towards Kaia's school, Serenity's closed her eyes, trying to compose herself. She couldn't let her daughter see her like this. The ride was a blur of traffic and noise, each jolt of the car sending a fresh wave of pain through her bruised body. When they arrived, she took a deep breath and stepped out, her legs unsteady.