She Who Laughs Last

her blankets, a peaceful smile playing on her lips. Serenity brushed a stray curl from her daughter's forehead,

ck and suffocating. She sank onto the expensive armchair in the living room, the familiar ache in her ribs a

ght replayed in her mind, each harsh word and brutal blow a fresh wound. She knew

enity woke to the sound of her phone ringing. She flinched, her heart hammering against her ribs. Squinting at

d, her legs wobbly. n the kitchen, she began the same routine as always: eggs sizzling in the pan, toast popping up,

es 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 a

b the steps, her ribs screaming with every movement. She watched as her daughter disappeared into the s

, her body protesting with every step. The floors needed mopping, the laundry was piled high, but Serenity couldn't muster th

flinched, her heart hammering against her ribs. Squinting at the call

oarse, the word barely a whisper

g?" Khalia's voice was warm and soothing, a s

per. The weight of her situation was crushing her, but s

mom doing?" Khal

tless words from the hospital still fresh in her mind. "She's okay

's something wrong with your voice,"

te to avoid revealing the truth. But she knew Khal

eavy with unspoken words. Just then,

u later," Serenity stammered, the urgency i

e if you need anything, anything at all," Kha

hanging up. Taking a deep breath, s

ce was tight, bracing herself for the

rp, cut through the line. "Sereni

replied, her voice quiver

e of nausea washing over her. Wednesday. The day she dreaded, the day she had to work in her mother-

nity felt a flicker of rebellion, a tiny voice inside her urging her to refuse. But the thought of Cole's ange

"Time to put on something more presentable," sh

ash 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

here," she muttered, a sigh escaping her lips. Slipping on the dress, she ra

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

driver announced, "

her, a gleaming bastion of luxury that she had become all too familiar with. The shop's name was etched in gold letters, r

liers hung from the high ceilings, casting a soft glow on the racks of designer clothes. The scent of expensive perfumes wa

d and clipped. She didn't bother to hide her disapproval a

She knew that Vivienne's coldness was just the tip of the iceberg. Working

ogy with a wave of her hand. "Just ge

straightened clothes, restocked shelves, and assisted custome

r, her voice commanding attention. "These are my friends, Veronica, B

churning with a familiar dr

ted on, raised an eyebrow as Serenity approached with the latest

g as Serenity approached the trio of well-dressed women. The words sliced through S

ow it, it's a girl." The words cut through the air like shards of glass, each syllable a sting to Serenity's

tongue, chimed in, "Such a shame, Vivienne. Co

her eyes raking over Serenity's bruised face. "What

trembling hand betraying her. "I take care of our daughter, Kaia, and he

zed the fabric. "Ah, yes, Kaia. The little girl," she said

nough for Serenity to hear. The words sliced through Serenity's already fragile self-esteem, leaving a tr

g in with their own cruel observations. Serenity felt like a doll on display, her worth measured by the number of ite

sing a wad of bills at Serenity. "Here's your taxi fare. Go pick up

o 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 w

er daughter see her like this. The ride was a blur of traffic and noise, each jolt of the car sending a fresh wav