She Who Laughs Last

Warning:

her feeling drained. The dining room seemed to close in on her, as if the walls were pressing in, suffocating her. Serenity made h

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,

d slightly. She didn't want to scare her daughter. She didn't want Kaia to know the depth of the fear th

ound of the front door opening echoed through the house. Her heart pounded in her chest

her voice dropping to a low ur

ty rinsed her hands. Kaia darted past her mother, the patter of her bare feet disappearing up the carpete

th fear. She rummaged in her apron pocket, her fingers closing around the small, cold key she always kept hidd

heart as she slowly walked down the stairs. She reached t

rt sank as she took in the familiar sight of her husband's rage. She forced herself to r

rowing as he glared at Serenity. His eyes were red and unfocused a

, "Hey, honey. Welcome

itch? I told you to get it ready." His voice rose with each word, echoing through the house. S

her. "It's late, honey. Why don't I help you get upstairs, and y

"Upstairs? You think I want to sleep, you stupid bitch?" His breath reeked of alcohol as he spit ou

er arm. "Honey, please..." She whispered; her voice ba

d across the entrance. His face was flushed, and his fists were clenched. "Where's my fucking b

er breath. Tears stung her eyes as she struggled to breathe, her vision starting to blur. "Where

surge of desperation, she twisted out of his grip and fell to the ground. Her vision swam, b

t her ear. "If you don't tell me where that beer is right no

wn, his words cutting through the air. Serenity cowered on the ground, tears streaming down her face. She knew there

ght away." She struggled to her feet, her knees wobbly from the fear and pain. As she stu

softening. "That's better," he muttered, taking a s

ed a beer from the refrigerator and rushed back into the living room, handing

the remote." She did as he said, handing it to him. He took a long swig of his beer, th

ontent Warn

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

and opened the door quietly, peeking inside. Kaia was sat in the corner, hugging her knees to her chest and she had falle

need to sleep on your bed now, okay? I'll help you move." She nodded towards the

y sat beside her daughter's bed on the floor, taking her hand in hers. Tears fell

had spent the night on the cold, hard floor, her thoughts swirling in a tornado of fear and an

hick with the stench of stale beer. Empty bottles littered the coffee table, a testament to his rage from the night before. Serenity stepped o

p breath, she nudged his shoulder. "Cole, wake up,

at the fuck, Serenity?" he grumbled, pushing her

"You're going to be late for work," she sai

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, poin

ht, 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 fr

ast and eggs for Cole and pancake

f asleep, looked up at her mother with sleepy eyes. "It's time to get ready for

zed comforter. Serenity couldn't help but notice the dark circles under her daughter's ey

r hair. "You look beautiful, darling," she whispered, trying to ignore the bruises marr

a asked, her eyes finally

er smile. "Just fine, sweetheart. Now, you go downst

r. 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

snarled, slamming his fist into the d

anded him his tie. "I'm sorry, I'll be faster

g it at Serenity. She caught it d

ned his suit, not bothering to look at her. He headed out of the room without a word. Serenity followed, the familiar a

meekly, her voice a stark cont

king of alcohol. He grabbed a piece of toast from the plate, barely acknowledging Kaia's greeti

You know, honey, maybe you should have some coffee with your breakfast," sh

snapped, grabbing the plate of eggs fr

red, but the tremor in her

le devoured his breakfast in silence, then stood abruptly and left fo

onstant 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,"

0 am. Serenity's stomach lurched. The bus arrived

e laced with panic. "Come on, we go

ion sending a sharp pang through her neck. She winced, hoping her daughter hadn't noticed. "Go ge

leneck 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

s, backpack slung over her shoulder. "Ready

rowed slightly. "Mommy, a

url behind her ear. "Just a little sleepy, that's all

n. She grabbed a banana and a juice box fro

he 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

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 o

ved in the middle of nowhere, a neighbourhood where the rich and wealthy lived and there was only one bus every 2 hours. Serenity felt t

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

y listened with a forced smile, her heart aching for the innocence her daughter still possessed. She had to keep her safe, keep her aw

e 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

aia, ever the optimist, simply smiled and skipped towards the school doors, her back

morning settling on her shoulders. Her phone buzzed in her pocket, a