THE ROOM WITH NO LIGHT

She took the first pill in the bathroom stall.

Hands trembling. Head bowed. The plastic bottle clicked softly in her grip — one sound, one act, one prayer against the future she didn't want.

She didn't cry.

Didn't speak.

Just swallowed.

And for the first time in days, she breathed.

---

On the tram ride back, the city blurred behind her.

For a moment, she pretended things might shift. That she could step into the mansion without Roman's fingers trailing her spine, without Lelo's wide-eyed stares shadowing her footsteps.

Maybe they'd forgotten.

Maybe he wouldn't touch her again.

Maybe she could hold this small secret and stay invisible.

Maybe.

---

The mansion gates opened too fast.

The air inside felt colder. Still.

She stepped in.

Silence.

Too much of it.

---

The hallway was… different.

A servant passed her without a bow.

Another didn't meet her eyes.

And her key — the one she always used to open her room — was gone.

She stood outside her door for too long, hand frozen on the knob.

Then Gloria appeared from the corridor.

Smirking.

> "Looking for your things?"

Serene turned slowly.

> "Where are they?"

> "Father thought you'd be more comfortable somewhere… more private."

---

The new door was down the east wing.

Far from the others.

No windows. No sunlight.

One large lock outside.

No key in her hand.

When she entered, the room was already arranged.

Her books. Her shoes. Her perfume.

All in perfect order.

Except now…

She had no control.

---

Dinner was silent.

Roman touched her more — not in dark hallways this time, but at the table.

A hand over her thigh.

A brush of her knuckles.

A soft graze against her lips with his napkin.

> "Wife," he said, "you're very quiet."

Lelo didn't speak either.

She just watched.

Eyes sharper. Darker.

---

When Serene stood to leave, a maid followed.

When she reached her new room, the door closed behind her.

And locked.

From the outside.

---

Her hands trembled again.

Not from cold.

Not from shame.

From knowing.

This was no longer a house.

It was a theater.

And she was the stage.

--