NINA'S POV

Confused, I followed her to the visitor’s area. The moment my eyes landed on the woman sitting behind the glass barrier, my eyes widened. “Becca?”

I stared at her in shock. “Becca… is that really you?” She nodded immediately, tears filling her eyes.

Becca was my best friend. The last time I saw her was during my final trial. I thought she had abandoned me too but she was here.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered shakily. “I’m sorry I couldn’t help you back then. But I’m a doctor now, Nina. I have connections now. I can help you.”

I laughed bitterly. “Help?” I repeated painfully. “You can’t help me, Becca. Look at me. I’ve already given up.”

“No,” she said firmly. “Don’t give up. Endure a little longer. Now that I’m back, you’re not alone anymore.”

Then she slowly placed a small stack of books on the table beside the officer. “I brought these for you,” she said softly. “You always loved sketching and reading.”

I stared quietly at the books. Fashion books, Business books, and Jewelry design books. Something tightened painfully inside my chest.

“I want you to fall in love with your dreams again,” Becca continued gently. “I want you to start rebuilding yourself even while you’re here. So when you finally get out, revenge will become easier.”

She paused before smiling faintly. “I became a surgeon, Nina. I’ll help bring your life back again. I’ll help you believe in yourself.”

Tears filled my eyes instantly. Just moments ago, I had planned to kill myself maybe Becca came back at the right time.

A small spark of hope slowly began growing inside me again.

“You can’t let them win,” she said softly. “Remember your grandmother. Remember everything you’ve been through. You can’t let all that pain go to waste.”

I nodded slowly, this time with confidence. Becca smiled gently before standing up as the visiting time ended. “You’re not alone anymore, Nina,” she said softly. “No matter how long it takes… I’ll help you out of this.” After she left, I sat there staring at the books for a very long time.

That night, I opened one for the first time. Then another and another. Books became my escape from prison.

While everyone slept at night, I read continuously. Business, Luxury brands, Psychology, Fashion and even Power.

I learned everything I could because deep inside me… hatred was keeping me alive now.

Years passed slowly, The weak girl who once cried herself to sleep disappeared completely. I became more quiet, cold and harder to break.

Every single day, I repeated the same promise to myself: the Norman family would pay for what they did to me even if it took the rest of my life…

Then finally the officer said the word I wasn't expecting. “Inmate 584. Your nine years are completed.”

For a moment, I thought she had mistakenly called my inmate number. I looked up at the prison officer through the cell gate. After suffering for crimes I didn’t commit, I was finally free.

A small smile appeared on my face. At least it was finally time to make the Normans pay for everything they had done to me.

I stepped down from my bunk as the sound of chains, prisoners shouting, and metal doors slamming echoed through the prison hall. I walked out of the cell that had been my cage for almost a decade while other inmates stared at me as I walked past them.

Some looked relieved, some looked jealous and some simply looked empty.

Sara sat on her bunk, watching me leave. For the first time in years, she smiled at me. “Don’t come back here, Scarface,” she muttered. “Or you’ll suffer even more, and make sure you don’t lose to your enemies.”

I looked at her calmly. “I won’t.” Even my voice sounded different now. I barely recognized my voice anymore. Prison had changed me completely.

The prison officer gave me a small paper bag containing the few things I came into prison with nine years ago. A necklace, my old clothes and a faded picture of my grandmother.

My chest tightened painfully when my fingers touched the photograph. Nine years later… and her death still felt like an open wound.

Just as the officer opened the final gate, the bright sunlight immediately hit my face causing my eyes to narrow slightly. I blinked hard. For a few seconds, I simply stood there silently feeling how strange freedom felt.

The outside world looked too bright after years of darkness. Cars moved freely. People walked around normally. Meanwhile, I had spent nine years trapped behind concrete walls.

Then suddenly, I heard my name. “Nina!”

I slowly turned toward the familiar voice. Becca stood beside a black car, tears already filling her eyes. She looked older now, more mature and elegant, but her smile remained the same.

Before I could react, she ran toward me and pulled me into a tight hug. “You’re finally out,” she whispered emotionally.

My body stiffened slightly.

Prison had made me forget how to react to affection. Still, after a few seconds, I slowly hugged her back. Becca pulled away and stared at me. Her eyes became watery again as she sniffed softly. “You’ve changed a lot.”

I forced a small smile and tapped her shoulder gently. “I survived. You should be proud of me.”

“Of course I’m proud of you,” she replied quickly. Then her hand touched the scar on my face. I immediately pulled her hand away. “I’m fine,” I said quickly. “Don’t worry about it.” As I walked past her and entered the car.

But we both knew I wasn’t fine and I didn’t want pity either.

Becca stood outside for a second, watching me quietly before entering the car too. Soon, we drove away from the prison area.

As we drove, neither of us spoke. I just stared outside the window silently. Everything had changed.

The city now looked richer and more beautiful. Massive billboards covered every building. Luxury brands, jewelry companies, fashion campaigns… Then suddenly, my eyes landed on a giant screen. N.C Jewelry Company.

Magga Norman stood smiling beside a display of diamonds while cameras flashed around her. Below the screen were the words: THE QUEEN OF LUXURY JEWELRY.

My jaw tightened instantly. Even after destroying my life… they were still living happily. Becca noticed the billboard too. Her grip on the steering wheel tightened. “They’re bigger now,” she said bitterly. “They’re at the international level.”

I remained silent, but deep inside me, hatred slowly started waking up again. Every success they had built came from my pain. The diamonds, the awards and the praises. Everything belonged to me and soon… I would take everything back.

Becca parked in front of a large modern building. I frowned slightly. “Where are we?”

“My apartment,” she answered. “You’ll stay with me for now.”

I stepped out of the car and followed her inside.

As I looked around the building, I couldn’t help but smile. My best friend was truly living her dream life, and I was genuinely happy for her. She achieved her dreams while mine were destroyed.

The apartment was beautiful. Warm lighting, expensive furniture, and peaceful silence filled the space. It felt unreal. For nine years, all I knew were prison walls and screaming inmates.

Becca placed my bag down before turning toward me. “You can shower first,” she said gently. “I already bought you some clothes.”

I nodded quietly but the moment I entered the bathroom, I froze. A mirror stood directly in front of me. I had always hated mirrors because it always reminded me of my trauma. My hand tightened into a fist as I forced myself to look at my reflection. The scar stared back at me immediately, older and ugly.

Memories of the fire flashed through my mind. The accident, the flames, my mother trying to save me while the car burned. I survived… while I watched my own mother burn to death.

My fingers trembled slightly as I touched the left side of my face. Even after twenty two years, I still hated looking at myself. Tears slowly burned my eyes again, but I quickly wiped them away. After showering, I changed into comfortable clothes and stepped out of the bathroom.

Suddenly, I felt someone hugging my legs tightly. “Aunty!” I frowned slightly and looked down. “Who are you?” I asked.