Silvia leaned against the locked door, sobbing quietly. She had learned to muffle her sobs, never letting the pain be obvious because goddammit she needed to be strong. For her little ones, August and Silva. Call her selfish, but the names reminded her of times before her pain when she was happy. She used to be happy. 

She heard a sheepish knock on the door. "Mama? Are you okay? August is hungry" The shy voice of her daughter called. Silvia's eyes widened and she frantically stood up, breathing heavily. She calmed herself quickly. 

"I'm alright, Silva," She said, her voice soft and defeated. She tried her best to mask her pain but it was nearly impossible. Silva wiggled the doorknob, wanting to make sure that her mother was truthfully okay. She heard the water running and suddenly, the door opened. 

Silva smiled at her mother. She hugged the older woman's waist tightly, nestling her head in her mother's stomach. Her mother smiled warmly and ruffled her hair playfully. "See, mama's okay. Let's go feed August, yeah?" She said, holding her daughter's hand and walking towards the living room, where she presumed her son was.

 ~~Two Hours Later~~

Silvia's children were asleep in their bed, and she was alone in her room. She made sure the door was locked and sat in her chair, breaking down. She remembered the pain that she was put through and the pain of seeing her lover bleed out below her and the pain of driving that godforsaken knife into his head. Then, she remembered the pain of having to leave her lover's dead body to be torn apart as she ran with her children, knowing the importance of safety.

She remembered fearing for her life as he advanced towards her angrily, ready to throw her up against a wall and beat the living hell out of her. She remembered the pain and bruises that followed and she remembered the pain of the insults.

But she also remembered her children, August and Silva, washing the pain away afterward with their comforting presence. She remembered the pain leaving, being chased off.