Serena put off her shoes near the entrance and walked barefoot into the house. She placed her bag on the work chair next to the window of her studio apartment. There was little stuff there, just the furniture provided by the apartment owner for the tenants.
There was a frameless bed, a desk and office chair, a kitchen set with a sink and a built-in stove for cooking, and a refrigerator. Everything was outdated but still in usable condition.
Serena walked towards the fridge, took out yesterday's leftover dinner stored in Tupperware, and returned it to her work desk, which she also used as a dining table. Then, she went to the window and opened the curtains, letting the city lights be her view.
She enjoyed looking at the city life, trying to grasp what they felt when her own life felt empty.
She didn't turn on any lights at all; even the lights had been out for who knows how many months. She got used to doing activities in the dark. Sometimes, when cooking, she would turn on the bathroom light so her hands wouldn't get cut while playing with the knife.
She relished the darkness and silence that enveloped her.
Sitting with her legs on the chair, she ate the cold leftover spaghetti straight from its Tupperware. No complaints came out of her mouth; she ate to stay alive.
After only two bites, a loud sound at the door startled her.
"BAM!"
"BAM!"
"BAM!"
Someone banged her door so hard that she almost jumped from her seat. Grumbling noises echoed from all her neighbours on the floor. The sounds of doors opening indicated their interruption of rest due to the commotion at Serena's door.
Serena peered through the hole in her door, worried that it might be a malicious person. However, it turned out to be someone she didn't expect. She immediately opened the door and greeted Adeline respectfully.
The woman pouted and pulled her hand away in disgust. Rita laughed cynically, mocking Serena's fate. Serena, accustomed to being treated that way by Adeline, didn't take offence. For her, even though she had divorced Zake, Adeline still deserved her respect.
Without her permission, Adeline barged into her apartment, followed by Rita. Without taking off their high-heeled, they stopped in the middle of Serena's apartment. Adeline's expression turned disgusted as she looked around Serena's entire apartment, making her shiver. Despite Serena being clean and constantly cleaning her apartment before going to work, not even a speck of dust was left behind.
"Why is it so dark?! Are you living in a cave?" Adeline snapped, gesturing for Serena to turn on the lights with her hand.
Serena moved to the bathroom and turned on the light there. Frowns appeared on Adeline's and Rita's faces as they exchanged puzzled glances.
"What's going on, mother? Why did you come all the way here?" Serena asked, unable to hide her surprise.
She felt uneasy about her ex-mother-in-law visiting when she wasn't fully prepared. She never expected any guests, especially not her former mother-in-law. Besides, how did her ex-mother-in-law even know where she lived?
She noticed Rita looking around with a condescending gaze, raising one finger and covering her nose as if she disliked the apartment's smell. Both were dressed luxuriously, with fur coats and expensive branded purses. Everyone could tell they didn't belong to this apartment complex from their attire alone.
Serena observed her neighbours, who were still curious and gathered in front of the door, sensing the potential for drama and not wanting to miss it. It made Serena feel uncomfortable.
"Who are you calling me 'mother'? I don't allow you to address me like that. Call me Madam Adeline. You no longer have the right to call me that. I am your superior because you work at Seraphim, my hospital," Adeline snapped sharply.
Serena squeezed her hand tightly, suppressing the surge of hurt feelings. She was her ex-mother-in-law, and Serena had to respect her regardless of the circumstances. She lowered her head slightly and said, "Yes, madam, forgive my rudeness."
Despite Serena humbling herself, Adeline's face still frowned in her direction, looking at Serena with a hatred that seemed to come from nowhere. She and her new daughter-in-law had the same disdainful expression towards Serena, even though the woman had never done anything offensive to either.
"Return my son's money! You leech! You have no right to that money! I will give your share to my grandson Adrian; he is more deserving of it than a woman with an unclear background like you!" Adeline scolded, pointing her finger arrogantly at Serena.
"Yes, my son deserves that money more than you, barren woman," Rita added, her finger never leaving the space before her nose. She didn't want to smell Serena's apartment.
If Serena had been submissive to the two women earlier, her attitude changed immediately. She raised her head and looked them straight in the eyes.
"You can discuss that matter with Zake Addam. Your visit here only shows your desperation for that money. Now, if there's nothing else you want to talk about, get out of my house," Serena replied firmly.
Adeline and Rita were shocked by Serena's change in demeanour.
"Oh, you insolent thing! How dare you kick me out like that! Do you forget who I am?" Adeline snapped again, pointing at her former daughter-in-law with her ringed finger. The rings chimed with every movement of Adeline's fingers.
"You are an uninvited guest. I did not expect your presence here. I can report you for trespassing and disturbing the peace in the neighbourhood," Serena responded assertively, determination shining in her eyes, a side of her that Adeline had never witnessed before.
And she didn't like her former daughter-in-law thinking she could speak so freely to her! The woman became even more unbearable now that she wasn't her son's wife anymore.
*SLAP*
Adeline suddenly slapped Serena, causing her to be thrown to the side with a hot, reddened cheek.
Rita glared and was delighted at her mother-in-law's response. She was pleased to see Serena humiliated because her earlier response had been very arrogant.
"Aargh!!" Serena erupted suddenly, her eyes radiating vengeance. She pushed Adeline and Rita out with all her strength.
The two women were pushed, and their strength could not resist Serena's emotional outburst.
"You!!" Adeline yelled.
*DASH*
Serena slammed her apartment door right in front of her mother-in-law's face. The old woman gaped in disbelief at Serena's actions.
"You insolent woman!! I will report you to Zake! Just wait and see! What can you do without my money, leech!"
Inside her room, Serena slumped against the door with wet cheeks, her hands trembling as she covered her face.
She screamed silently.