Chapter 2 Nico's Redemption

Alexa visited the prison with Justin to meet Niko.

Niko, leaning against the iron bars, was taken aback and quickly stood up. "Alexa, this can't be true," frustration evident on his face. He had been baffled by the unexpected turn of events all day. Murder? It was impossible. How could he, who had only accidentally stumbled upon the corpse, suddenly be accused of being the killer?

"I swear I didn't do it. I didn't even touch that person," he continued.

In Alexa's eyes, Niko now seemed like a man who was rambling. Justin, standing beside her, seemed entirely indifferent.

"It wasn't you who did it," Alexa replied casually.

"What?"

Alexa glanced at Justin with a small smile. "I deliberately framed you. I planned it all so that you'd end up in prison."

Niko fell silent upon hearing this, even his grip on the bars separating him from the two weakened.

"I don't want Justin to go to prison, and I'd rather have you take his place here." There was not a hint of guilt on Alexa's beautiful face. Furthermore, she was actually holding the arm of the man next to her.

This came as another shock to Niko; he hadn't expected the woman he loved to betray him like this. "You-you both-" He didn't get a chance to finish his sentence; Alexa cut in.

"I've been in touch with Justin. I love him."

Niko's mind went blank, and his gaze appeared vacant. His mouth opened, but no sound came out. Both of his hands clenched tightly until his fingers turned white.

"Don't expect to get out of here. Everything has been arranged, and you'll be here for a long time."

For a moment, turmoil raged within his heart, and Niko's gaze turned vacant. "You're a real traitor!"

"Enjoy your long stay here."

"No! I will get out of here and make you pay for what you've done to me!" He screamed hysterically while repeatedly striking the iron bars, ignoring the fact that his hands were getting injured. "Is this how you repay me after everything I've given you?! You wicked woman!"

Niko became even more enraged when he saw a smile on Justin's lips. The man who had become his lover's affair seemed happy, especially when Alexa tightened her hold on his arm under the moonlight.

"Useless," Alexa said. "I've been telling you all along that you'll end up in jail no matter how hard you try to convince the police."

"That's impossible because the truth will prevail. You, traitors, will never win in the eyes of the law!" Niko's eyes shifted to an officer, and he shouted, "Officer! I've been framed by them! Release me now and arrest the real culprits!"

However, it didn't go as Niko expected. The police officer appeared indifferent and only glanced briefly at Niko.

Seeing this left Niko stunned. He then looked in disbelief at Alexa, who seemed very relaxed about the situation. In Niko's mind, there was a speculation that he hoped wasn't true. "You-"

Instead of feeling intimidated, Alexa smiled slightly, as if dismissing what Niko had just said. "You're too naive, Niko. That's why I'm bored with you. I've already paid them to do what I want. So, enjoy your time here, Niko."

"You jerk! Damn you! You're truly despicable!" Niko cursed, yelling and hitting and kicking the iron bars repeatedly. "Hey! Officer! This isn't right!" His anger flared, mixed with disappointment, hatred, and despair. Niko felt like he was in a nightmare, facing the fact that his lover had cheated on him and intentionally framed him as a murderer. Especially the fact that Alexa was determined to land him in jail no matter what.

"Save your energy, Niko. Whatever you do now won't help. You'll spend the rest of your life in prison." Alexa reaffirmed this with confidence.

After satisfyingly witnessing Niko's despair, Alexa and Justin left him. Before Alexa left completely, Niko saw a thin smile on her lips.

It was truly ironic. Niko's life was shattered by a woman he had once loved deeply. Now, it wasn't just the fact that he had been betrayed, but he had to accept spending years in prison.

Flashback off.

One year had passed since Niko was sentenced to 15 years in prison. His days were spent without any enthusiasm, like a robot programmed to do what was expected.

Spending a year being quiet and brooding. Physical exercise became an activity, more of an outlet for the anger that sometimes flared up when he remembered the past. When he truly lost control, he underwent quite extreme physical training. That's why Niko's body was more developed now.

"It's not uncommon for him to be lost in thought. No one knows what's on that man's mind.

Today is his schedule, along with some fellow inmates, to do community service. Niko is cutting grass in the backyard of the place he's confined.

"Hey you, come here!"

Niko didn't pay much attention to the call, thinking it wasn't him being summoned. But when one of the inmates tapped his arm, he turned around.

"What's up?" Niko asked in a cold voice.

"The guard is calling you," said a small, bald-headed man with a tattoo of some sort on the back of his neck.

Niko glanced at the guard who was gesturing for him to approach. He sighed in annoyance. This usually happened when he unintentionally broke a rule, and he would face punishment, although it was often just a minor one.

Finally, Niko approached the guard.

"Come with me," the guard said without preamble. The man in the cap, holding a wooden stick, walked ahead.

Niko followed without asking any questions. After all, who cared about what would happen to him? Niko was too numb to anything punishment-related.

Unexpectedly, Niko was taken to a changing room. The guard who had called him earlier handed him new clothes. "Change into these!"

Of course, this left Niko puzzled. Just as he was about to ask, the guard left the room without saying a word.

After changing, he intended to return to his usual spot. However, the officer from earlier returned with news that left Niko extremely surprised.

"You're being released today."

"What?"