urly hair. When she finally saw her, she forced a smile, hiding the pain and humiliation of the past few

up on time today?" Kaia's vo

er chest. "Yes, baby," she managed to

oday?" Kaia asked, her

i. They climbed into the backseat, and Serenity gave the driver the address to the house. Kaia ch

her mind racing with the day's events. Inside, Serenity sent

ant Cole wouldn't be home until late – if he came home at all. It was the one day she had a semblance of pea

excitedly about the day. Serenity lis

uzzed on the counter. With a deep breath, she glanced at the s

renity said, her

replied. "Just checking

nity said a little too qu

eyes widened as she heard a familiar voice on t

. "Khalia, what are you doing?" she

ty flung open the door, her heart pounding. There st

. "I bought some things for Kaia and I wanted to drop the

hless. Kaia peeked out from behind

" she qu

greeted, crouching down. "Au

s widened.

floor and walked to her trunk and pulled out two more l

asure trove of toys, clothes, and books. Serenity's heart ached with gra

ling her cousin into a hug. As they pulled back, Khalia

a's smile had disappeared, replaced

her voice strained. She had practiced the exc

ers, the doubt evident.

f those things. Anyways, Kaia's going to love these!" She tried to

her gaze to Kaia. "So, munchk

squealed, twirling

rang again. She glanced at the screen, her stom

's voice crackled through the receiver. "Serenity, it's urgent. You

toys she bought to Kaia. "But Cole's not home yet," Ser

ice laced with urgency. "No time to argue. Just hurr

htening in her stomach. "Khalia," she said hesita

Khalia asked, her brow

it... now," Serenity explained. "So

laced with a thoughtful frown. "Oh... okay," she s

in relief. "Are you sure

e, I'm sure. Family sticks together, right?" she winked. "Go ge

Kaia, who was staring at them with wide eyes, Serenity said, "Ho

hate going to Grandma's house,

"I know, sweetie, but they need us, okay? Go g

ty took a deep breath, the anxiety of facing her in-laws again like a storm cloud on

asked, her voice soft.

he admitted, her voice trembling slightly.

's hand. "Whatever it is, just remember

ia. You're truly a lifesaver. I d

mily is for, right?" she said,

roval even before she stepped out of the car. The house was a display of wealth, the kind that made Serenity feel li

eassuringly. "Anytime, Des. Call

nd Kaia standing on the mansion's steps. Serenity took a deep bre

Warning:

maid's uniform. Her smile was polite but practic

onded, offering a small smile. "

stepping into a lion's den. The grandeur of the mansion seemed to swallow her

. Inside, the entire Vale family was sat across the couches

to break the silence. Her voice was laced wi

enity replied, forcing a smile. "Ka

n the room was palpable, and Serenity felt the sting of their disap

ore into Serenity like a drill. "Well?" she demanded. "Why are y

they called her from her own house to do something that their staff could easily manage. She felt

d from his armchair, snapping Serenity out of he

wine, spoke up. "Spotless, Serenity

ould respond, Liora spoke again, her voice sweet as honey but her eyes as sharp as kni

" she began, her voice shaking wit

sion. Liora stood abruptly, her face a mask of outrage.

, but her voice surprisingly steady. "I will

he impact sending her reeling. Kaia screamed, and Serenity's vision blurred with

l smile playing on her lips

e happening in the room. Serenity's cheek burned from the slap, and she tas

at we told you to do!" Liora screa

ape her throat. With trembling hands, she grabbed

ntent Warni

luttered with half-finished meals and crumbs scattered across the floor. Serenity's eyes widened in shock, her c

tears blurring her vision. Kaia, sensing

ay?" she asked, he

e. Why don't you sit at the island and do

ink, her mind racing. The next hour was a blur of cleaning. Serenity scrubbed, wiped, and disinfected until her

lready pushing 7 pm. Exhaustion hung heavy on her shoulders, but the emotio

teps. Hailing a taxi, she bundled Kaia closer and tried to focus on the night air outside. I

ved from the taxi money her mother-in-law would give her every Wednesday. Opening

gently into bed. Kissing her forehead, Serenity whispered, "Mommy loves yo

ng on the edge, his tie loosened, his shirt unbuttoned. He looked up at her, hi

?" he slurred, his v

g. "Delilah called. She said your mother n

efore he stood up and removed his clothes and collapsed on the bed. "

old dismissal. Serenity sighed as she started picking up Cole's clothes from the floor, her cheek

tick. A red

silently, dropping onto the fabric, mixing with the alien lipstick stain. Serenity felt like she had been punched in the gut. Years of torme