THE WIFE,THE MOTHER,THE PRISONER

The music was too loud.

Every clink of a champagne glass sounded like a scream. Every smile in the room looked like a mask. Serene stood in the heart of it all, dressed in ivory and suffocating in silk, while her hands trembled behind the fabric.

They were celebrating her.

Her pregnancy. Her miracle.

But Serene didn't feel like a miracle.

She felt like a puppet.

The memories had come back slowly—first in dreams, then in flashes, and now in full color, like a film reel rewinding violently in her skull. Every scream, every cage bar, every injection, every broken plea for help—they were all still there. Just buried. Just hidden behind smiles and lullabies.

Until now.

And now that they were back, she couldn't breathe.

She clutched the flute of juice in her hand and tried to smile when someone passed. But her fingers were slick with sweat. Her belly felt like it was burning. Not from the child inside her—but from the truth of how it got there.

She was carrying his baby.

The monster's.

Roman's.

And yet, she smiled. Because now, she had to pretend. If they knew she remembered, they'd bury her again. And this time, they might bury her alive.

She glanced toward the stairs. Lelo stood there, watching with those unblinking blue eyes. Possessive. Sharp. Serene's heart twisted. The girl she had once pitied now terrified her.

This was not her daughter.

This was a creature Roman made. A reflection of his obsession.

Serene turned back to the crowd just as the doors opened.

And then the world stilled.

There she was.

Gloria.

The woman in red.

Serene had seen her before—once, in a memory she wasn't supposed to have. The way Roman spoke about her, the way Lelo sometimes whispered her name like a curse.

And now here she was. Cool, elegant, untouchable.

But Serene saw the fury simmering beneath her flawless skin. Gloria didn't walk—she prowled. And behind her followed Roman's parents, their faces tight with strained smiles.

They made their way through the crowd like royalty. Gloria's eyes scanned the room and locked with Serene's for a fraction of a second.

In that moment, Serene knew.

This is it. My way out.

Because if there was one person who wanted her gone more than she did—it was Gloria.

Serene's mind raced, fingers tightening around the glass until it nearly cracked. She didn't have a plan. No exit route. No money. No phone. Not even her real identity anymore.

But she had this.

This woman. This moment.

And if Serene could manipulate Roman, she could manipulate her, too.

All she needed was the chance.

As if God was listening, it came sooner than she hoped.

Gloria broke from the elders and crossed the room. The crowd parted without resistance. Her heels clicked like gunshots on marble. She stopped in front of Serene, her lips painted a cruel red smile.

"You're glowing," Gloria said, her voice like ice dipped in honey. "I suppose congratulations are in order."

Serene stared at her, heartbeat pounding. "Thank you."

"You don't look happy." Gloria tilted her head. "Nerves? First-time motherhood can be... terrifying."

Serene's voice was barely a whisper. "It's more than that."

Gloria's smile didn't waver. "Walk with me."

Serene followed her without question. They drifted past Roman, who didn't blink—he was too busy charming investors. Past Lelo, whose eyes narrowed, but not enough to chase.

They stopped behind the heavy velvet curtain near the archway.

Just like before.

But this time, it was not coincidence.

This was war.

Gloria folded her arms. "Let's not waste time. You've remembered, haven't you?"

Serene's throat went dry. Her voice was hoarse. "Yes."

Gloria's eyes flickered with amusement. "I knew it. The way you looked at him tonight. It wasn't blank anymore—it was hate."

"I want out," Serene whispered.

Gloria raised a brow. "You think I'll help you?"

"You will," Serene said, stepping closer. "Because you want your family back. You want him. And you want her."

Gloria said nothing.

Serene kept going. "If I stay, he won't ever look at you again. Lelo won't call you mother again. And you'll always be a shadow."

"Bold," Gloria murmured. "But you're right."

Silence stretched between them.

Serene's heart was thundering. "Help me escape. I'll disappear. You'll never hear from me again. You don't even have to care about the baby. I'll raise it alone. Far from here."

Gloria looked her over slowly, as if weighing her options. Then she leaned in, her voice low and dangerous. "If I help you... and I find out you lied... I will burn every place you run to. Do you understand me?"

"I'm not lying," Serene breathed. "I want to leave. I've always wanted to leave."

Another pause.

Then Gloria's lips curved into a sharp smile. "Good girl."

She turned on her heel and walked away, melting back into the celebration.

Serene stayed in the shadows, her knees threatening to buckle.

It had begun.

The first thread had been pulled.

And if she played this right—if she said all the right lies and promised all the right things—then maybe, just maybe, she'd finally get out.

And this time, she wouldn't leave any part of herself behind.

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