th a heavy heart, clutching her mother's parting words and the stranger's business card. The

nishment, every swipe of the mop and wipe of the counter a silent admission of defeat. Her back screamed in protest, a constant remind

he screen displaying a person which caused her to sigh. It was Liora, he

he answered, her voice lac

's voice, as usual, dripped with entitlement. "

ed, a sliver of genuine concern

offed. "I needed you in La Mais

er a question about the two-hour

d revolved around her and only her. Flinging her cleaning apron onto the counter, Serenity raced out the doo

already fading. The next hour and a half crawled by, punctuated only by Liora's increasingly

nity checked her phone – 2:30 pm. She just hoped Liora's "emergency" could

y. The boutique was a stark contrast to the world outside its walls, it was a place of luxury, filled with the latest fashion and the scent of expensive perfumes. The

eeking out from beneath Serenity's hastily applied makeup. The girl's smile wa

r. "We don't need any help, honey," Liora sailed in from the back, her

shopping bags piled in the corner, each one covered with the La Maison É

"These, darling! My new wardrobe. Now, grab a few of those and let's get out of here." Serenit

" Serenity forced the words out,

on the counter. "To help me carry them out, duh! Now come on, slowpoke.

a deep breath, she grabbed four bags, the weight digging uncomfortably into her already sore arms. With a forced smile, she followed Liora out of the shop. The walk to Liora's car, a few blocks away, was

her muscles protesting with each one. Serenity collapsed against the car for a moment. A glance

ront of Kaia's school. Liora, however, seemed oblivious. She was completely engrossed in her phone, scrolling through

ectly arched eyebrows raised in q

l? I need to pick her up." Serenity blurted out

ps. "You're kidding, right? You want to take your...

was her niece, Cole's daughter, blood of their blood. "Liora, that's not...

ty," she said, her voice clipped. "Besides, the time you've wa

pick up Kaia!" Serenity pleaded, panic rising in her chest

"Are you shouting at me, Serenity?

voice cracking. "It's just... it's alre

t, and started the engine. Serenity's hand shot out, gripping the door handle, des

n a cold mask. "Get. Away. From. My. Car." Each word was punc

knuckles white. "Liora, please!

erenity's arm and into her chest. "I said get aw

her standing in a cloud of dust and exhaust. She watched as the silver car disappeared

ut Kaia needed her, and that was all that mattered. As the minutes ticked by, Serenity couldn't help but wonder why they t

rom running. She had waited 2 hours for the bus and got the bus but she had t

Kaia, her tiny frame illuminated by the fading sun. A

aughter. Relief washed over her as Kaia's fac

ld her tight, burying her face in Kaia's hair, inhaling her scent

'm late, honey,

d a sheepish smile. "I apologize for th

eary face. "We understand that parents can get busy, M

eks. "Yes, you're absolutely r

ly. "Let's hope not. School

"I'll never leave you waiting like this again." She knew the teacher was judging her

topped them. "Ms. Vale ?" Serenity turned back

?" the teacher asked tentatively, her eyes

ned. "No, no, he's h

the teacher continued, her voice lac

fear tightened in her stomach. "He must have had his phone on silent," she lied, forcing

t your fault, dear. Just be careful, alright? And Kaia," she turn

ey walked, Serenity tried to focus on Kaia's chatter about her day. But her mind kept wandering ba

they saw the bus pull

enity cursed u

home?" Kaia asked, sens

xt one." Serenity forced a smile, her eyes never

reached their doorstep, it was close to nine o'clock. Exhausted but reliev

Warning:

in the quiet night, echoing through the house. There, standing in the living room, his face a mask of rage, wa

replied, her voice trembling. She braced

s clenched and unclenched at his sides, his knuck

r. "Your sister called me to help her carry her shopping," she beg

he words like venom, his eyes never leaving Serenity's face. Ea

she blurted out, unable to hold back her frustrati

a step closer. "Don't you da

p back, her hand instinctively reaching out to shield Kaia. "I'm n

, Kaia whimpered. "

d her daughter, forcing a smile. "Why

rs, her tiny footsteps ech

ity's cheek with a sickening crack. The force spun her around, and she stumbled, her visi

voice was a whip crack, lashing out at her. "I

rely left her mouth before his hand met her cheek again, the sound e

palpable as he towered over her. Serenity's body trembled on the cold tiles, the taste of

a snarl, "You don't fucking work, Serenity. This is your job! This is all you're good for!" He kicked her ri

erenity's heart clenched in fear for her daughter. "Kaia, go back t

. It hadn't been f

ntent Warni