Chapter 15 CHAPTER 15

Chapter 15 CHAPTER 15
ZARA

When Mother said it, I know there is no escape for me anymore.

“And I will hold the phone till tomorrow. You won’t be needing it,” she said and walked away, slamming the door and then locking it from the outside. The silence that followed pressed down on me. I lay back on the bed, touching my swollen cheek gently. The numbness cracked just a little, but I pushed it back down.

No tears.

Not here.

Outside, I could hear the distant sounds of the neighbourhood, cars passing, and children playing. Inside, I was alone with the ache in my face and the memory of how lovely my mother was when she was alive.

I lay curled on my narrow bed, staring at the cracks in the ceiling as night settled over the house. The slap from earlier still burned across my cheek, a hot, throbbing reminder that refused to fade. My stomach growled from the lack of dinner, but I ignored it like I always did. Hours had passed since my stepmother locked me in. The room felt smaller in the dark, the air thick with silence.

The lock clicked suddenly. I sat up quickly, heart jumping because she was back. My stepmother stepped inside, her silhouette sharp against the hallway light. She closed the door behind her and crossed her arms, eyes glinting coldly in the dim glow from my bedside lamp.

“Well?” she said, voice low and daring. “Are you ready to confess yet, Zara? Or are you still pretending you did nothing wrong?” She said and I know this is when I am supposed to say something to end up getting locked in tomorrow.

I actually wanted to leave a long time ago. I wanted to escape but my sister is my weakness which is why she knew I would not go and she sees me as an object of humiliation.

I swallowed hard, keeping my face blank. My swollen lip pulled painfully as I spoke

“I… I wasn’t out doing anything bad,” I whispered. The lie formed quickly, born from years of practice.

“I had assignments due. Really important ones for school. I had no choice but to finish them, even if it took all night. That’s why I stayed out so late. I didn’t want to come home half-done with it” I said and she raised an eyebrow, waiting. I continued before she could interrupt.

“Dylan “ I began and paused.

“He is just a classmate. He helped me with some of the harder parts of the assignment. That’s why he was calling and texting me to know if I had gotten home. He wanted to make sure I understood the work before submitting. I couldn’t pick up because I was focused. And when you called, I was already on my way. I’m sorry I didn’t answer. It won’t happen again.” I said and I swear, the words tasted like ash, but I kept my voice steady without breaking eye contact.

I couldn’t let her see the fear or the exhaustion. Confessing the truth about working at Dylan’s place would only make things worse. This version felt safer. School-related stuff.

My stepmother stared at me for a long moment, the silence stretching until my pulse hammered in my ears. Finally, she let out a sharp breath through her nose.

“You’re lucky your sister still needs someone to look after her,” she said flatly. “That’s the only reason I’m letting you out of this room tonight. If it weren’t for her, you’d stay locked in here for a week. You think you can just disappear and come back with pretty excuses? I know your type, Zara. Sneaking around, wasting time on boys.” she said and laughed.

She stepped closer, towering over the bed. “But fine. I’ll believe your little story about assignments for now. Get up. Go downstairs and cook dinner. Something decent for me. After that, clean the entire house, the kitchen, the living room, and the bathrooms.” She listed everything out and folded her arms under her bosom.

“Make sure every surface shines. You have school tomorrow, so you had better finish everything before you even think about sleeping.” She said and I dare not argue. At least, I know this is who she is

I nodded without hesitation. “Yes, mother,” I said and she spat on the floor before turning her back on me.

She unlocked the door fully and jerked her head toward the hallway. I stood up on shaky legs, my knees still sore from scrubbing floors earlier. The slap mark on my face pulsed as I moved past her, but I didn’t flinch or touch it. Showing pain would only invite more.

Down in the kitchen, the clock read past ten. I moved quickly, pulling out pots and ingredients. My hands worked on autopilot, chopping vegetables, boiling rice, frying chicken the way my stepmother liked it.

The smell of food made my empty stomach twist, but I knew better than to eat until they were served and satisfied. While the food cooked, I wiped counters, swept the floor, and scrubbed sinks. Every motion sent fresh aches through my tired body, but I pushed through. The thought of Dylan’s concerned texts kept flickering in my mind, a small warmth I clung to in secret.

My stepmother appeared once to check on me, arms folded as she watched me scrub the stove. “You should probably go and see your sister when you come back home next. Make sure her lunch is packed for tomorrow too, I will do the favour of taking it to her” she said and even though I wasn't supposed to thank her, I actually did.

“Thank you, mother.”

“And don’t forget the bathrooms, mould is growing in the tiles again because you’ve been so careless lately,” she added with a smug look.

“I’ll fix it,” I murmured, not looking up.

She hovered a moment longer, then left without another word. Relief washed over me when her footsteps faded upstairs. Alone again, I allowed myself one deep, trembling breath. The lie had worked. For tonight, at least, I was free from the locked room. But freedom here always came with chains of chores and silence.

By the time the food was ready, it was already late. I set the table carefully, portioned out dinner for my stepmother and left mine untouched in the fridge for later, if there was any left. My cheek still stung every time I moved my jaw, a constant echo of her hand.
I finished mopping the living room floor just after midnight, my back screaming in protest. The house smelled of cleaning products and cooked food.

Everything was in its place. I felt exhausted but I knew sleep would have to wait until morning. School tomorrow meant I had to look normal. No red eyes, no visible bruises if I could help it.

I walked back to my room and shut the door. I am sure she will find her food in the dining hall tomorrow so I have
nothing else to do now.

I lay down on my bed and try to act as if nothing was wrong.