Chapter 3 Prison

Kaitlyn POV

I sat on the metal chair in front of Douglas Carter in the small, dimly lit visiting room with cold walls. Douglas Carter was here, visiting me.. a complete surprise, especially since I knew the massive conflict between him and Martin. He was Martin's rival, his enemy. No one hated Douglas as much as Martin did.

He stared at me as if trying to read the thoughts swirling in my head. I wore the gray prison uniform, my swollen belly drawing attention. I felt like the tight pull of my hair, slicked back, was my only shield of dignity in this harsh place.

Douglas smiled gently, though his voice carried a firm edge as he said, "Kaitlyn, I know you've been wronged. You've been jailed for a crime you didn't commit, and the people behind it need to pay."

I looked at him with empty eyes, as if I no longer believed in anything. I didn't utter a word. I just stared at him, waiting for more.

He continued, "I know Martin and his sister played a big role in this, and I know there were false witnesses against you. But if you work with me, we can get revenge and reclaim what's yours." His voice was confident, filled with determination, as if his plan was destined to succeed.

I stayed silent, staring at the table as if lost in deep thought. My face betrayed nothing, just a blank stare hiding hundreds of swirling thoughts and worries.

In that moment, I felt a weight heavier than I expected. How could a pregnant woman survive in this hell? How could I give birth and raise my children in such a cruel place?

Douglas's voice was calm, yet insistent: "Kaitlyn, I'll support you with every resource I have."

I didn't know what Douglas really wanted. He spoke only of support until his true intention slipped out: "On one condition, Kaitlyn. Marriage... to me. Of course, Martin will file for divorce, and your first marriage will be over."

Shock hit me. Marriage. And Douglas... I was still reeling from the repeated blows of betrayal-from my husband's infidelity to my being thrown in prison.

I gave him no answer. Douglas promised himself he wouldn't give up until he got me out and delivered the justice I deserved. He stood slowly, took a deep breath, and said, "I'll wait for your answer. Take your time to think, but know I'm here to help you."

Then he turned to leave the room, leaving me alone with my conflicting thoughts, wondering about the difficult decision I had to make. I knew Douglas was Martin's greatest enemy. His sworn rival.

---

Seven months and two weeks had passed. Months had already gone by. Martin never visited me. I still couldn't understand why he felt compelled to treat me this way. I hadn't wronged him once. We were happy until I couldn't bear a child. I read in the news that Theresa had recovered and returned to work.

What she did was deliberate. As a doctor, she knew exactly where to stab to avoid killing me. Nine months had passed, and Martin had never shown up, not even briefly.

I looked at my belly, caressing it, tears in my eyes. It had been the only source of joy I'd felt since being imprisoned. At some point, I had wanted to end my life, but when I remembered the twins growing inside me, I imagined them growing up, becoming two people I would love more than anything.

The sound of footsteps caught my attention. I looked up to see a prison guard approaching. "Prisoner 3290, please come with me. You have a visitor," she said. I wondered who it could be.

Normally, I was an orphan. No one visited me. I had no family to belong to. I nodded and struggled to rise from the floor, following the guard.

We reached the visiting room. She opened the door, and a pale man with gray hair appeared. I had never seen him before. He noticed the confusion on my face and stood.

"Please sit. I'm not here to hurt you. I just came to give you this from your husband." He pointed to a file on the desk. I sat and took the papers. When I opened them, I saw the words in bold: "Divorce Agreement."

Tears threatened to spill down my cheeks, but I held myself together. I hadn't cried in nine months. This wouldn't break me now. I had been expecting the divorce papers because I knew this was what would come next.

As I opened the agreement, my eyes landed on the alimony. I couldn't believe he was treating me like some cheap person. "Who gives ten percent in alimony? He's rich, he earns more than many business owners," I thought, pain rising in my chest again. But I refused to let it bother me. I didn't want the money, nor did I plan to accept it.

I looked at the lawyer in front of me. "Please, your pen." He nodded and passed it to me. I had no regrets. I signed the papers, handed them back, and left the room.

I returned to my cell, collapsed onto the floor, and let the tears flow. It was too much for me to hold in.

The man I had loved, the one I gave everything to, had thrown me away like trash. And that wasn't enough.. he accused me of something I never did, and now I was paying a prison sentence for a crime I never committed. I cried until I couldn't feel my tears anymore. I sat in the corner of my room, lost in deep thoughts. I remembered the last three years with him.

I was deep in my thoughts when a sharp pain struck my side, and I screamed.

A prison guard ran to help me. I tried to get up, but I couldn't. He crouched beside me. "Are you okay?"

I clutched my side. "No! My side, it hurts so much. I can barely move my leg." I cried, holding my side as the guard tried to help me rise.

I screamed without stopping, drawing the attention of other guards and inmates. They came to help and carried me to the prison hospital. As soon as we reached the entrance, blood began to flow from my thigh.