Episode 43 — “The Laugh That Stings”

Episode 43 — “The Laugh That Stings”
"Who is that? Why is Kenny laughing with a woman’s voice?"

Rae’s voice was soft, almost a whisper in the dark room. The lamp was only half-lit, casting long shadows on the wall and reflecting dimly from the window onto the wooden floor.

Her black dress from earlier hung neatly on the chair by the bed, as if it still carried the scent of that fancy lunch place.

But that wasn’t what kept Rae awake. It wasn’t the small note now folded under her pillow. Not even the mirror that still showed a face she barely recognized anymore.

“It’s already late… why would a woman be here at this hour?”

What kept her awake was the sound of laughter coming from downstairs.
Soft. Flirty. Floating like a whisper in the night air.

She knew it wasn’t the TV or the radio. It wasn’t the robotic voice from the house system either. It was real. A woman’s voice.
Then came Kenny’s laugh. Deep. Low. And… too relaxed.

“Hahaha, I still remember what happened at your business building...” Kenny’s voice carried up the stairs.

Rae closed her eyes.
“Not my business,” she whispered. “It’s none of my business.”

But then why did her chest feel so hot? Why did every sound of that laugh hit her like a quiet alarm that wouldn’t stop?
She sat up. Stared at the door. Then slowly got out of bed. Her bare feet touched the cold wooden floor.

She walked carefully. Slowly. Not because she didn’t want to be seen, more because she didn’t want to admit that she wanted to see.
Downstairs, the living room lights were soft and warm. Two shadows sat on the sofa. One relaxed, the other crossed her legs with elegance. A red dress.

The woman laughed again....

“You always know how to make cheap wine taste like vintage, Kenny. Now you’re my type, uhh...” she said with a raspy, teasing voice.
Kenny replied with a soft chuckle. “Or maybe you’re just too easy to impress. Hahaha.”

“Oh, definitely. I’ve always had a weakness for men who can kill with a cold face but still look polite doing it, Darling.”
"Darling??" Rae's eyes open widely.

They laughed again. Rae stood still behind the wall. Peeking through a gap, just enough to see the woman’s face. Shoulder-length blonde hair, blood-red lipstick, and hand gestures that belonged in a world full of lies.

BIANCA.....

Rae had heard the name. The owner of an exclusive karaoke chain. But the rumors said more than that. She was a link between nightclub businesses and the secret games played behind the scenes of the city’s mafia.

And now she was in this house, sitting with Kenny, laughing like they shared a hundred secrets.
Rae whispered, “Karaoke? No wonder she laughs like that....”

Her hands tightened at her sides. But she didn’t go down. She didn’t interrupt. She just... went back upstairs. Heavier steps this time.
At the top of the stairs, she looked back. The chandelier swayed gently, maybe from the wind, or maybe someone had just walked quickly beneath it.

Rae touched her chest. It felt cold. But inside, something was boiling....
“I hate this. I hate that I’ve started to care. Shit!... Wake up, Rae!”

She entered her room and locked the door.
“But why… why does it feel like I’m afraid of losing something that was never be mine in the first place?”



Morning came, as always, without mercy.
Rae walked to the kitchen with her usual steps. Her hair tied up messily, her eyes still holding pieces of the long night.

Kenny was already there, standing by the coffee machine. He wore a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, dark trousers, and that calm face he always had in the mornings. But something was different. A smile that barely showed. Or maybe a smile that was being hidden on purpose.

He glanced at her when she came in, then went back to pouring the coffee....
“Morning, Rae. Bianca said to say hi,” he said casually. “She said you’re pretty, but a bit too serious.”

Rae opened the fridge, took a bottle of water, and closed it with a louder sound than needed. “Oh... Sorry, I forgot to turn on my fake laugh.”

Kenny turned to look at her. Quiet for a second. Then he smiled.
“I prefer honesty, Rae. But don’t be too easy to be read. That can get you killed in this world.”

They didn’t say much after that. Rae sat down, turned on her tablet, pretending to read. But her thoughts were anything but quiet.



In her room, she turned on her laptop.
For the first time since coming back to this house, she felt the need to know something, without waiting for permission.

The name: Bianca Laurent.
A regular search gave her nothing. But in the dark forums, using a few old access points she still remembered, Rae found a few faint threads.

Bianca. Karaoke clubs. A case about a young female server who disappeared after being last seen with Bianca at a private party. She was never found. No open investigation. Only rumor, scattered and wild.

Then, at the end of that article… a single comment appeared, from an anonymous account:
“Anyone close to Bianca is already part of Kenny’s game.”

Rae sat still......
This wasn’t about jealousy.

This was about being pulled into a game… she never agreed to play.



Midnight...

A loud sound woke Rae suddenly. Like glass falling and breaking. Or maybe... a picture frame?
She sat up quickly. Silence followed. But there was a dim light coming from the hallway.

Rae got up, slowly opened the door.
The hallway was quiet. But the door to Kenny’s working room, which was usually locked, was now open just a little. A soft yellow light spilled from the crack.

She walked slowly… moving closer.

Kenny was sitting on the floor. His back leaning against the sofa. His tie was loose, shirt half open. Sweat on his temple.
In his hand, a photo frame which broken in two. Near him, a half-empty bottle of scotch and a shattered glass.

He was talking to himself. His voice was rough and low.
“I should’ve run away back then. But who would want a dirty kid like me? Damn it…”

Rae stood by the doorway. Her heart hurt, but not because of Bianca’s laugh, or Kenny’s cold words.
But because now, she saw the wound. An old one. One that had never healed. One that maybe had never even been touched.

She didn’t go in....
She just stood there. Then slowly stepped back.

Returned to her room.
But this time… not out of fear.

This time, because she understood.
That she wasn’t the only one broken in this house.

Kenny was too....
And somehow, that made everything… even more complicated.

She sat on the bed. Looked into the mirror.

And for the first time, she didn’t see a victim.
But someone who, little by little… was choosing to survive.

After several minutes, Rae couldn't even sleep. She always remembered how Kenny looked like out there.
Then she slowly walking downstairs to saw Kenny in person.

But suddenly...
“What are you doing, Lady?”

To be continued...