Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh!

Chapter Ten

Serenity entered the dark bedroom. "Seto?" She whispered.

No answer. She stared at the large bed and to her surprise, saw Seto fast asleep, his laptop's light shining on his angular face.

She tiptoed towards him. Staring at his soft, dreamy expression, she smiled and saved every file on his laptop before switching it off. She placed every paper and the laptop into his briefcase and placed it next to the walk-in wardrobe door.

She then hung his clothes up in his half of the wardrobe and grabbed an oversized T-shirt and a clean pair of panties from what was now her side. She walked into the bathroom and was changing when she noticed her underwear had been dyed red.

'Oh, great! Of all the times, my period had to come now!' Serenity wasted no time in washing her soiled underwear and grabbing a pad from her bag of toiletries that had yet to be unpacked. After washing and pulling on her substitute pajamas, Serenity continued with her night routine (washing her hands and face, brushing her teeth...)

She walked out of the bathroom and climbed into bed, the days occurrences running in circles through her mind. As her eyes began to flutter closed, and her form shrinked to a foetal position, and her breath shallowed, one sentence fell through her thin pink lips:

"I can't do this."

Months passed and Serenity had grown quite accustomed to frequently being made to feel utterly, absolutely worthless. The beating, the shouting, the fake smiles.

She couldn't deny that her husband was a beautiful actor. Everyone believed they had the perfect relationship and were as happy as could be; they couldn't have been more wrong.

Seto had pulled Serenity into the form of an empty shell. That was all she was for him now: a slave. And of course, a slave wants freedom and freedom Serenity craved, oh so much. But eventually slaves become used to the labour. The tiring, never ending labour. Serenity had no choice but to obey every order. She was to follow in her husband's footsteps, meaning to become as great an actor; she knew she couldn't tell a soul (dead or alive) about the terrifying occurrences in the Kaiba household.

They would deem her as mad; crazy; they'd believe Seto's stories instead of hers and she'd be trapped in an asylum. Or at least that's what he made her believe...

Seto was the only person to see her cry these days (she would fake a smile so much, even her heart would pain from it). Serenity could feel the tears welling up as she made her way to their bedroom. She was a strong person, yes, very much so. She had been keeping her head up during these times but she could never stop herself from crying. She was terrified of Seto and he knew it. He used it as a tool against her.

She hurried through the hallways and took a deep breath, blinked a few times and opened the door, briskly making her way to her dressing table.

"Where have you been?" A sharp voice intruded the silence.

Serenity took a deep breath, "I went to see Mai. She wanted me to help her with some work and she needed a hand with the baby too."

"And you left without letting me know?"

"I told Roland to let you know."

"Well he obviously had no idea where you had disappeared to when I asked him. " A cold hand slithered around her waist, squeezing her right hip; the pain was of the searing type from a fresh bruise only inflicted the night before. "Now tell me..." Seto paused for a second. "Where were you?"

A shaky breath. "I was at Mai-"

Suddenly, Serenity was spun around and punched, hard, just below her left cheekbone.

"You are not to leave this house without informing me personally first. You hear me?" Seto hissed venomously. His sharp blue eyes stared hard at his beloved wife's delicate face. She was going to cry; her lip had pursed and she was staring at the floor in hope that he wouldn't see that tears were about to drop. It disgusted him that she was so weak and soft.

"Do you hear me!?" This time he screamed in her face. He was becoming impatient. Fast.

Serenity gave a light nod, "Yes Seto. I hear you."

She stood up and to the bathroom.

She locked the door.

After 6 months and this is all you get!? Yes I know... I'm sorry guys.. :'(

I'll try to be a better writer; I've been so caught up in sh** that I just couldn't see the point in bothering wit E. But I'm halfway there and I'll be updating hopefully more frequently! Again guys, I'm sorry. :(

Anyway, it's 1:11am and I have school tomorrow so hope you liked the chapter! Please leave me a review! (: 3