She Who Laughs Last

Chapter Two: Behind Closed Doors

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 f*****g cow!" Cole slurred, his eyes narrowing as he glared at Serenity. His eyes were red and unfocused as they landed on Serenity. "What th' f**k 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 b***h? 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 b***h?" His breath reeked of alcohol as he spit out the words. "I want a f*****g 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 f*****g 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 f**k, 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 f**k 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 f*****g hangover," Cole snapped, grabbing the plate of eggs from her. "And keep that s**t 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. "f**k," he'd say, when the toast was burnt, or when she didn't have his tie straight enough. "b***h," 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.