She Who Laughs Last

Chapter Nine: Escape from Hell

The air in the closet grew thick with Serenity's silent sobs, each one a testament to the betrayal that seared through her. Her body trembled against the hanging garments, the smell of Cole's cologne and Khalia's perfume a noxious blend that made her stomach churn. She felt pathetic.

Through the recording, she witnessed the entirety of their twisted love affair – the whispered sweet nothings, the passionate kisses, the gentle touches that were never meant for her. Every intimate gesture was a dagger in her heart, twisting deeper with each passing moment. Serenity's hand clenched around her phone, her knuckles white with rage as she listened to the sound of their lovemaking, the bed creaking in time with their sighs. Her stomach lurched, the smell of their combined scents nauseating her.

Hours had passed and Serenity remained in the claustrophobic embrace of the hotel room closet, her heart a tumultuous sea of anger and pain. The digital clock on the bedside table read 1:00 PM, and she knew she had to act before the world beyond the closet walls swallowed her whole. With trembling hands, she watched as Cole and Khalia gathered their things. They kissed, a kiss that seemed to last an eternity, before they left the hotel room, the door clicking shut behind them.

Tears welled up in her eyes, blurring her vision. Everything she thought she knew about her life, her marriage, her cousin – all shattered into a million pieces. Her legs felt weak as she pushed herself out of the closet. She stumbled out of the room, her eyes swollen and her cheeks stained with tears.

Serenity couldn't bring herself to take the elevator, the same elevator that had brought her up to this hellish reality. Instead, she staggered towards the stairwell, the heavy door slamming shut behind her. The harsh fluorescent lights flickered above, casting eerie shadows across the concrete walls. The stairs stretched before her like a never-ending descent into a pit of despair.

Her legs felt like they were made of jelly as she took the first step, her hand tightly gripping the cold metal railing. A sob escaped her lips, echoing through the stairwell. How could they? How could they do this to her? The betrayal was like a knife twisting in her gut.

Her phone, still clutched in her hand, began to ring, the harsh sound cutting through the silence. Serenity looked at the caller ID, and the name 'Khalia' taunted her. She stared at it, her breath coming in ragged gasps. With a trembling finger, she declined the call. Tears streamed down her face, hot and furious. How could Khalia, of all people, do this to her? The ringing started again, and again she ignored it.

The calls didn't stop. They continued as Serenity walked to the bus stop; her legs weak. She didn't bother to wipe away her tears. They were a part of her now, a permanent accessory to her pain.

Serenity waited, her thoughts a chaotic storm of rage and despair. The chilly wind bit at her skin, but she felt nothing. Her mind was elsewhere, lost in the treacherous waters of her shattered world. The bus pulled up, its engine purring. She stepped on, the doors hissing shut behind her. The ride home was a blur, the city passing by like a sad, silent film. She stared out the window, the reflection of her red-rimmed eyes haunting her.

Reaching her doorstep, she paused for a moment, gathering her strength. Taking a deep breath, she unlocked the door and stepped inside. The familiar scent of home, once a source of comfort, now felt hollow and empty.

As Serenity stepped upstairs to their bedroom she collapsed onto the bed, and slumped forward, burying her face in her hands. Tears streamed down her face, hot and relentless.

A notification chimed on her phone, interrupting Serenity's desolate silence. She looked down to see Cole's name on the screen, and a message that read, "Where are you, you stupid b***h, I need you to be home by the time I finished work, and I expect my dinner to be made and beer on my table." The message was like a drop of acid, burning into her soul.

Serenity's body trembled as she read through his texts, a deluge of insults and demands that had become as routine as the sunrise. But this time, something within her snapped. The dam of her emotions burst, and a torrent of anger and pain flooded through her. Her vision blurred with tears, and she couldn't hold them back anymore. They streamed down her face, hot and furious, mixing with her silent screams.

Serenity grabbed the bed sheets, her knuckles turning white as she crumpled them in her fists. The anger that had been simmering beneath the surface boiled over, and she threw the pillows across the room with a feral scream. Her eyes fell on the mirror above the dresser, reflecting the shattered image of a woman betrayed. Without a second thought, she hurled the lamp at it, watching with a mix of horror and satisfaction as the shards of glass exploded in a shower of light and shadows.

The shards scattered across the floor, glinting like the shattered fragments of her life. She stood in the middle of the chaos, chest heaving with sobs. Each breath was a battle, a fight to stay standing amidst the ruins of her marriage. The dresser drawers were next, their contents spilling onto the floor like a river of secrets. Clothes, photos, and forgotten mementos lay scattered on the floor.

And there on the bedside table was their wedding day picture frame, the glass cracked from a previous outburst, the smiling faces mocking her. Serenity's hand reached out, trembling with rage, and she smashed it to the floor, the sound of shattering glass echoing through the room. The shards reflected the room's shadows, each piece a mirror to her shattered heart.

Serenity rushed out of the room to find a suitcase, her steps echoing through the empty hallway. She had to get out of here, take Kaia, and never look back. As she threw open the door to the storage closet, her eyes fell upon an old suitcase, the one she had used when she first moved in with Cole. It was a sad relic of a more hopeful time, now covered in dust.

Her hands shaking, she pulled out the suitcase and brought it back to the bedroom. She began to pack, tossing in her and Kaia's clothes, not bothering to fold them neatly. Each item was a declaration of her intention to leave, to escape from the prison of her marriage. As she packed, her mind raced, planning the confrontation she knew was inevitable.

Serenity glanced at the clock – 2:00 pm. She needed to pick up Kaia from school, but the weight of the suitcase in her hand felt like a boulder. She took a deep breath, trying to still the chaos in her chest. She zipped it shut, the sound echoing through the silent room like a gunshot. Her eyes fell on the shattered glass, the remnants of her wedding picture glinting in the harsh afternoon light.

Serenity ran out of the bedroom, the suitcase, on the floor, banging against her legs as she rushed out of the bedroom. The front door slammed shut behind her, and she sprinted towards the bus stop, the cold wind slapping against her face. The digital clock on the bus shelter read 2:03 PM. The bus pulled up, the doors opening with a hiss. Serenity boarded, her breath coming in ragged gasps, the weight of the suitcase seemingly heavier with each step. She collapsed into the nearest seat, her heart racing.

By 2:53 pm, she was at the school, a frantic smile plastered on her face. Kaia skipped towards her. "Mommy!" she called out, her voice full of innocence and cheer.

"Kaia, honey! We need to get home quickly, okay?" Serenity's voice was strained, but Kaia didn't seem to notice.

"What's going on?" Kaia tilted her head, her eyes wide with curiosity.

"Just a surprise, sweetie! Let's go!" Serenity said, her voice too high-pitched even to her own ears. She took Kaia's hand and practically ran to the bus stop. Reaching the bus stop, Serenity's heart sank. The familiar red bus had just pulled away, leaving them to wait in the cold. She checked the schedule; the next one wasn't due for two hours.

Serenity cursed under her breath, the cold wind cutting through her as they waited. "Mommy, are you okay?" Kaia's voice was filled with concern.

"Everything's fine, honey," Serenity said, forcing a smile. She knelt beside Kaia, trying to hide her trembling hands. "We'll just have to wait for the next one."

The wait was long. Two hours ticked by, the autumn sun casting a cold, indifferent light on Serenity's face as she sat on the bench with Kaia, her thoughts racing. Every minute was a battle to keep the fear at bay, fear of what awaited her at home, fear of what she would say to Cole, fear of the inevitable confrontation. Her eyes darted from the road to her watch and back again, as if by sheer will she could make the bus appear sooner.

By 5:00 pm, it was starting to become dark. And yet the bus had not arrived. Another 30 minutes crawled by before a rusty, beat-up bus finally pulled up, the engine coughing as it came to a stop. Serenity's heart was racing as they boarded. Every minute felt like an eternity, the anticipation of what was to come almost too much to bear.

However, it wasn't their usual route, a sign on the side advertising a detour due to road work. By the time they reached their street, it was close to 7:00 pm. Exhausted and emotionally drained, Serenity prayed with every fibre of her being that Cole wouldn't be home. Approaching the house, her heart hammered a frantic rhythm against her ribs. The front door was unlocked – which meant one thing... Cole was already here.

A curse slipped past her lips, barely audible.

Turning to Kaia, Serenity spoke in a voice laced with urgency. "Sweetie, listen carefully. Don't take off your clothes, your shoes, your jacket – keep everything on. Go straight to the kitchen, grab something to eat, and do not, under any circumstances, come upstairs. The moment you hear me shout, 'Kaia, outside now!' you run outside as fast as you can, okay?"

Kaia's eyes widened, a flicker of fear replacing her usual cheerful expression. Serenity's heart ached, but there was no time for explanations. She needed to buy herself some time.

"Why, Mommy?" Kaia whispered, her voice trembling slightly.

"Just trust me, sweetheart," Serenity trembled "Please."

With a final, desperate hug, Serenity pushed open the front door and stepped inside. The familiar scent of her home was overshadowed by a thick cloud of tension.

A deep, angry voice filled the room. "Serenity, what the f**k have you done!"

Serenity trembled as she pushed Kaia towards the kitchen, as she began to walk up the stairs, her heart racing like a caged animal. The floorboards creaked under her weight, each step a silent scream of dread. Reaching the bedroom door, she pushed it open, bracing herself for the storm that awaited her.

They're stood Cole, his face a thundercloud of rage, his fists clenched at his sides. The room was in disarray, their once beautiful marriage bed a battleground of scattered clothes and shattered glass. He wasn't drunk...he was soberly furious.

"Serenity! Where the f**k have you been?" Cole's voice was a thunderclap in the small room, his eyes narrowed into slits. His fists clenched and unclenched at his sides, a clear sign of his volatile temper. "Everyone's been calling you – my mother, my sisters, even your own f*****g mother – and don't give me a bullshit excuse!"

Serenity stood frozen; her throat tight with a knot of unshed tears yet she didn't say a single word. Cole's eyes swept over her, his fury growing with every second of her silence. "You're going to answer me, b***h!" he roared, the room vibrating with the force of his anger. His hand shot out, as he slapped her across the face, the sound echoing through the room like a gunshot.

"And what the f**k is going on with this room?" Cole shouted gesturing at the broken mirror and the debris scattered across the floor. Serenity could feel the blood rush to her cheeks as she stared at the shattered glass. "Did you lose your f*****g mind?!"

Serenity turned to face him as she looked at her finger. "No, did you? Did you?" She whispered with a quiet fierceness that was eerie in its calmness.

Cole froze, taken aback by her calmness. "What the f**k did you just say to me?" His hand raised again; his knuckles white with rage.

Serenity met his gaze, as she slowly started to remove her wedding ring. "I said, did you lose your f*****g mind?" she repeated, her voice gaining strength. "I want a divorce, Cole."

Serenity threw her ring across the room, the gold band clattering against the wall like a declaration of war. Cole's eyes followed it, his jaw clenched tightly. A laugh, harsh and grating, laughter devoid of humour, burst from him. "You think you can just leave me?" he sneered, his voice low and menacing. "You're nothing without me!"

"I don't care! I am nothing with you!" Serenity spat; her voice filled with a rage she didn't know she possessed. "I've tolerated years of abuse from you, Cole," she screamed, her voice bouncing off the walls.

Cole scoffed. "Abuse? You call this abuse? It's called discipline, sweetheart. You needed it." His hand swung back, ready to strike again, his eyes glinting with a malicious pleasure at the thought of her pain.

"So, it's also discipline to cheat on me?" she challenged, her voice shaking with rage. "With my own f*****g cousin?"

The laughter died on Cole's lips. His eyes widened in a mixture of shock and disbelief. For a moment, there was only silence, thick and suffocating.

"You thought I wouldn't find out?" Serenity's voice was laced with venom, her eyes burning into Cole's as she stepped closer to him. The room seemed to shrink around them, the air crackling with tension. "You're nothing but an abusive, cheating sack of s**t!"

Before he could respond, Serenity whipped out her phone. "See this?" she held up the screen, displaying the recorded proof of his affair. "Every disgusting detail, your voice, hers...everything. Consider this my evidence in court and considering the fact you are highly respected in your job, you will be known as a f*****g abuser!"

She turned to leave, finally free from his suffocating presence. But Cole wasn't finished yet. He lunged at her, a desperate attempt to regain control.

"Don't you walk away from me, you little slut!" Cole's hand shot out like a viper, his fingers wrapping around Serenity's throat, his grip tightening as he squeezed the life out of her. Serenity's eyes bulged, her breathing a strangled gasp as she struggled against him. His face was a mask of pure rage, his eyes wild and unrecognizable.

"You belong to me!" Cole snarled, his grip tightening around Serenity's throat, cutting off her air supply.

Serenity's eyes watered as she desperately clawed at his hand, trying to break free. Her nails dug into his flesh, drawing blood. He winced but didn't loosen his hold.

"Get...the...fuck...off....me!" Serenity's voice was a desperate rasp as she fought for air, her eyes bulging with fear and anger. With a surge of adrenaline, she managed to break free from Cole's iron grip, her nails leaving deep furrows in his skin. He stumbled back, momentarily stunned by her sudden strength.

The phone slipped from her hand and clattered to the floor. Cole quickly grabbed the phone, his eyes wild with desperation. "You think you can expose me?" he roared, his hand wrapping around the device. "You're going to regret this, b***h!"

Serenity's vision swam, her lungs screaming for air. She stumbled backward, her hand reaching out blindly. Her fingers closed around the handle of the bedside lamp, and she swung it with all her might. The heavy base connected with Cole's head, causing him to stumble backwards and loosen his grip on the phone causing the phone to fly across the room. He howled in pain.

The air rushed back into her lungs in a desperate gasp. She took a staggering step back, her eyes never leaving Cole's contorted face. Serenity charged towards him and pushed him towards the wardrobe with all her might. His leg caught on the corner, sending him sprawling to the floor, his hand smacking against the wooden frame.

Serenity rushed to pick up the phone, her trembling hands struggling to hold onto it as she ran towards the bedside table and grabbed Cole's car keys and then she ran out of the bedroom. "Kaia, outside now!" she screamed, her voice hoarse from the chokehold. She could hear Cole's curses and the thunder of his footsteps chasing her down the stairs. Kaia appeared in the doorway, her eyes wide with fear, and Serenity grabbed her hand, pulling her outside into the cold evening.

Serenity closed the main house door, and quickly locked the door, trapping Cole inside. She had to get Kaia out of here, now. The cold night air hit her like a slap, jolting her back to reality. She opened Cole's small black car door, her trembling hands barely managing to fit the key in the ignition. Serenity had never drove before, but she had to learn fast. She didn't bother to check if he was chasing them, she just knew she had to go.