NINA POV

Prison life was hell. The first three weeks nearly destroyed me. The inmates mocked my scar continuously.

“Monster.”

“Ugly thing.”

“No wonder nobody wanted you.”

Some laughed whenever they saw me trying to hide the left side of my face. Others intentionally pulled at my veil just to humiliate me. While some felt pity and wanted to be friends but I didn't want friendship.

Then one afternoon, a prison officer called my name. “You have a call.”

I picked it up confused. But the words I heard next destroyed what little was left of me. “Your grandmother died from a heart attack.” The phone slipped away from my hand and fell to the floor. My grandmother just died?

The words kept repeating inside my head. Then I laughed softly and looked at the prison officer. “It’s a lie, right?” I asked shakily. “That can’t be my grandma.”

I shook my head repeatedly as I slowly moved backward. “No… it can’t be…” my voice broke painfully. “It can’t…”

The prison officer came closer carefully. “Nina, listen...”

“Listen?” I snapped immediately, pushing her away. “Listen to what exactly? That the only family I had in this world died because of a crime I didn’t commit?”

I ran through my hair in frustration, breathing heavily. “This can’t be real. I must be dreaming… yes, it’s a dream. Call the doctor again,” I said desperately. “Maybe he mistook my grandmother for someone else. It can’t be her. She promised she wouldn’t leave me alone in this world.”

The prison officer swallowed hard before speaking quietly. “It’s true. Your grandmother died from a heart attack after discovering you were imprisoned.”

I stared at her blankly. My knees gave way instantly as I collapsed onto the floor. “No!!!” I screamed painfully. “It can’t be real!”

My chest hurt so badly it felt like someone was tearing my heart apart from inside. The only person who truly loved me in this world was gone. The only family I had left. I sobbed uncontrollably, my body shaking violently.

This was my fault. If I hadn’t trusted the Norman family… If I hadn’t signed those papers… If I had never come to the city looking for my father…

None of this would have happened. I was selfish for leaving the woman who raised me just because I wanted to find my father. Grandma would still be alive.

“Get up!” one of the prison guards shouted coldly. “It’s time to go back to your cell.”

I didn’t move, everything inside me felt empty. I no longer knew what I was living for anymore. But one thing became clear at that moment. The Norman family would pay for this even if revenge became the only reason I stayed alive.

The guard grabbed my arm roughly and dragged me back toward my cell. The other prisoners stared at me silently as I walked inside.

That night, I curled myself into the corner of my bunk and cried while memories of my grandmother flooded my mind.

The way she worked hard just so I could attend school.

The way she cared for me after my mom died.

The way she always encouraged me not to listen to people who mocked my appearance.

She never once treated me like a burden. But now… who did I have left? Some inmates tried comforting me. “Nina, you’re not the only one who has lost family here.”

But none of their words could console me.

Suddenly, the cell door opened as Sara walked in with her gang causing the atmosphere to change.

Since the day I was brought in here, Sara had made my life miserable. She was known as the queen of the cell, the oldest and most feared prisoner.

As she walked toward me, my body trembled slightly. “I need you to massage my back,” she ordered coldly. I stood up immediately and couldn't afford to offend her. She didn’t care that I was mourning my grandmother. But then again… did anybody ever care?

I followed her quietly to her corner as she lay on her bed while I slowly began massaging her back. She suddenly screamed angrily. “Is that how you massage? It seems you love being punished."

My hands clenched tightly together as I bit my lower lip. I couldn’t even look into her eyes. “Continue,” she said coldly.

For the past few months here, I was slowly losing myself.

I stopped eating properly, I stopped talking, I isolated myself from everyone and I was sinking into depression.

One afternoon, I skipped lunch and stayed alone in my bunk as usual when Sara and her gang suddenly walked in. “Have you washed my laundry?” she asked sharply.

I stared at her blankly. “I’m talking to you!” she screamed again. I was mentally and emotionally exhausted. I wasn’t feeling like myself any longer

Before I knew it, she pinned me against the wall aggressively. “Are you snubbing me?” Tears rolled down my face as I sighed weakly. “I’m tired…” Her gang exchanged looks. “She’s got some nerve,” one of them muttered.

Before I could react, another inmate brought out a table knife and slashed the side of my face. My breathing stopped as I touched my cheek shakily as blood gushed down my hand.

Instantly, Sara turned angrily toward the girl and slapped her hard. “How could you do that?” she shouted. “Did I tell you to cut her?”

The girl bowed her head quickly. “I’m sorry. I just thought..” Before she could finish speaking, Sara grabbed the knife and slashed the girl’s face too.

My body trembled violently. At that moment, I truly believed I wouldn’t survive nine years in prison so I decided to end my life.

But the day I decided to end my life, one of the prison officers suddenly entered the cell. “Inmate 584.” I slowly stood up from my bunk. “Someone is here to see you.”

Someone?

Who would want to see me after two years in prison?