He Sent Me to Prison on Our Third Wedding Anniversary

My husband sent me to prison on our third wedding anniversary. I thought Bryce Holloway was the love of my life. My high school sweetheart and husband. The man I had spent three years trying to build a family with. So when I found out I was pregnant, I couldn’t wait to surprise him. But instead of celebrating our anniversary, I was arrested for my father’s murder. “I didn’t kill my father!” The evidence said otherwise. And when Bryce finally came to the police station, I thought he would save me. Instead, he leaned closer and whispered, “Didn’t you say you wanted something unforgettable for our anniversary?” My heart shattered when he added, “Enjoy your life sentence.” He had framed me. While I was rotting in prison, he divorced me and married my stepsister, Daniella. “He should’ve chosen me from the beginning.” Daniella said. I thought my life was over. Then I discovered I wasn’t carrying one baby. I was carrying twins. And I made one decision… Bryce would never know they existed. But keeping my children a secret wasn’t enough. My stepmother wanted me dead, my inheritance was at risk, and the people who destroyed my life were determined to make sure I never walked out of prison. Until someone helped me disappear. My father’s attorney, Roman Ashford. Two years later, everyone believed Kaia Bennett was dead. But they were wrong. I returned to California under a new identity, with my twins by my side and one goal in mind. Taking back everything that belonged to me. Chapter 1 KAIA “Congratulations, Mrs. Holloway. You’re three weeks pregnant.” Dr. Mira said over the phone and I gasped softly in surprise. I couldn’t believe it. After three years of trying for a baby, I was finally going to have one. “Are you serious?” Her voice was cheerful. “Yes, Ma’am. Your test results came in this morning. You can pick them up whenever you want.” Tears of excitement streamed down my cheeks. I thanked her one more time, and hung up the call. It was my third year wedding anniversary, and I couldn’t think of anything better than the news I’d received. “I can’t wait to tell Bryce about this,” I chimed. “He’s going to be so excited.” Bryce Holloway. Billionaire CEO of B.H tech company. My husband and high school sweetheart. We’d gotten married shortly after graduating from college. I hurried back into the kitchen, prepared his favorite meal, and got ready to visit him at the office. I called his phone several times, but he didn’t pick up. He was always working extra hours and rarely had time for anything else. I arranged his food bag, picked up my car keys and stepped outside to leave. My security guard, Eli, saw me and rushed towards me. “Good morning, Ma’am,” he greeted, his voice husky. “Some people are here to see you.” I took off my sunglasses and stared at two men who were behind him. My eyebrows furrowed. I wasn’t expecting any visitors. “Who are they?” I asked. “Police officers,” Eli said. My heart instantly dropped in fear. Not because I was guilty of any crime, but because something negative flashed through my mind. Was Bryce okay? Did something happen? “Mrs. Holloway,” one of the officers stepped forward before I could say anything. “You’re under arrest.” It sounded like a joke. I chuckled, tilting my head backward and laughter erupted from my lips. Under arrest for what? Was that a joke or something? “I’m officer Landon,” the other man said, already pulling out the handcuffs. “And you have the right to remain silent as anything you say or do will be used against you in the court of law.” That was when I realized that they weren’t joking. I was indeed getting arrested, but for what? “What?” I gasped. “What have I done?” Officer Landon tried to grab my wrist, but I pulled away, eager to hear the crime I’d committed. “You’re being arrested,” he responded. “For the death of Mr. Fredrick Bennett.” My breath hitched and the food bag in my hand slipped away. The food splattered all over the floor, and my fingertips brushed against my lips as I stood speechless. Fredrick Bennett. My father. My knees nearly gave out beneath me. “My father died last week.” I murmured through the confusion. “How can you accuse me of murdering him?” He’d died only one week ago, and the whole case was still ongoing. I wasn’t even guilty of the crime. His killers weren’t found yet, and it was proven that he’d been poisoned. Officer Landon grabbed my wrists as they cuffed me. My lips trembled, and I began to cry as they dragged me away. “I didn’t do anything!” But they didn’t listen. Something wasn’t right. How could I suddenly get arrested for a crime that occurred when I wasn’t even there? “You’re mistaken, officer,” I cried. “Please believe me. I didn’t kill my father.” “New forensic evidence was recovered this morning, and a witness has come forward.” Forensic evidence? A witness? Impossible. Someone had planted that evidence. Someone wanted me behind bars. Eli frantically paced around, unable to do anything that would help me. The police officers dragged me away into their waiting van. I was hand-cuffed and thrown into the backseat like a hardened criminal. And the fact that people from my estate had trooped out and were staring pitifully. I heard the whispers, the murmurs, and the words that slipped out of their lips as the officers carried me away. “Poor, Kaia,” one of them said. “And she looked so innocent too innocent to a crime.” “What did she do this time?” “She’ll probably never get released again.” Their words sent something slicing through my chest. Before the van drove away, I screeched at Eli, sobbing uncontrollably. “Please call my husband. Tell him I’ve been framed for something I didn’t do.” * Bryce didn’t come to the police station until the next morning. I’d waited all night, staring and hoping he’d show up, making excuses for his absence. And although I wasn’t thrown into a cell yet, I was made to wait behind the counter. He showed up at exactly 10 a.m. I heard his voice from the entrance and it echoed calmly through the station. “Where’s my wife?” He demanded. “Where’s Kaia?” My voice cracked softly. “Bryce!” “Kaia.” I rushed into his arms and hugged him tightly, sobbing into his chest. I was too caught up in everything that was happening and didn’t notice that he wasn’t reciprocating the hug. The only thing I noticed was his wedding ring that was missing from his finger. But I didn’t pay much attention to it. “Babe,” I whispered. “I was so scared you wouldn’t come.” He pulled me away from the hug and looked directly into my eyes. “Did they hurt you?” I shook my head, sighed in relief that he was there, and began to plan my return home. “No.” “Mr. Holloway,” Officer Landon called him from the counter. “We’ve been waiting for you.” Bryce nodded. “Did you get everything I sent?” “Yes, Sir.” I tugged at his shoulder. “Happy anniversary, Babe.” He only gave a small smile, his fingers tightening around my wrists. I recalled the phone call from Dr. Mira, and proceeded to utter. “I have something to tell you. I got a—‘’ He brushed me off my words by placing a finger on my lips, his eyes glinting with something indescribable. “—Have you opened my anniversary present yet?” He asked. I raised my eyebrows and shook my head quietly. I didn’t remember receiving anything before he left for work or after he did. Or… did it come after I was arrested? “I didn’t receive anything.” Bryce's smile grew wider as he stared at me. I stood there, unsure of what he had in mind. His voice rang out again to officer Landon. “You found all the evidence, I suppose.” “Yes.” “What’s the final verdict?” Officer Landon didn’t hesitate to respond. “She’s guilty. And it’s all thanks to the evidence you gave us.” The room spun around me. Evidence… he gave them? No. Bryce would never do that to me. He couldn’t. “Babe…” I swallowed hard, chuckling nervously. “What’s going on? What evidence is he talking about?” Bryce only raked his fingers through my hair. He leaned forward, brushed his lips against my ear, then whispered… “Didn’t you say you wanted something unforgettable for our anniversary?” My smile disappeared. And while I struggled to understand what was happening, his next words destroyed what was left of me. “Enjoy your life sentence.” Chapter 2 KAIA “How could you do this to me?!” I screeched, pounding my fists against his chest as hot tears streamed down my cheeks. Three years with the man I loved dearly, and this was how I was repaid? I went against my family for him, and this was what I got in return? A cruel betrayal as an anniversary gift? My chest tightened, and breathing suddenly felt like a difficult task. Bryce stood there, unshaken. His lips curled into a mischievous smile, and he spoke calmly like he’d done nothing wrong. “You brought this upon yourself, Kaia,” he said. “You were nothing but a fool.” My vision blurred as I stared at him, my chest heaving uncontrollably. “You know I’m innocent, Bryce.” “Innocent?” He scoffed, pushing me off him roughly. “But I’ve got lots of evidence against you.” Whatever he’d given the police wasn’t the real thing. I knew that without a doubt. Bryce knew the real story. He knew what had happened that morning before my father died, and he knew that I did nothing. Because… Only one person knew what had happened that morning. Bryce. And somehow, every piece of evidence had found its way into the police’s hands. “I did nothing to him, Bryce.” He laughed mischievously. “You were the last one seen arguing with him that morning. And your fingerprints were on everything including the knife next to him.” That wasn’t true. I lunged at him again, but two female officers came and held me down. My body trembled as I cried, struggling to break free. “Let go of me!” Why were they holding me? Why weren’t they doing their job properly? The real perpetrator was standing free, and I was being punished for something I didn’t do. Everything that happened, and was happening… was my fault. If I hadn’t gone against my father, if I hadn’t fought to get married to Bryce against his wishes, then… My life would have been more different and better than what I had now. “She’s a threat to life,” Bryce muttered, brushing his fingers against his suit. “Make sure she’s detained and severely punished for her crimes.” My jaw clenched before dropping in surprise. Was this the same man who’d sworn forever to me? “Bryce,” I sobbed, wincing out in pain as the officers grabbed my arms tightly. “Please tell them the truth. Please, I beg of you.” He smirked, ignored me, and uttered authoritatively to the police officers. “Take her away and put her behind bars.” Those were the last words I heard from him before he turned his back away to leave. My eyes felt heavy and bulgy. I could barely breathe, and I grew weak from all the hours I’d spent waiting for him. I hadn’t eaten since the day before. I didn’t even get the chance to eat before I was arrested. I wasn’t starving alone anymore. There was another tiny life depending on me now. As they pulled me away to my cell, I felt the sharp pain slicing through my stomach. It was a reminder of the life I carried, and the news I’d forgotten to tell Bryce. Like a nightmare, I was thrown into a cell after being changed into the prisoner’s uniform. Night came slowly, and my pain worsened. I couldn’t sleep, and my eyes refused to close. I waited patiently for morning, even though I had no hopes of my situation changing. Memories replayed in my head and more than half of them were my father. I recalled his constant warnings, and how he’d almost disowned me when I told him I was getting married to Bryce. “It’s either you call off that wedding, or you lose your inheritance.” Of course, I was blinded by the fake love Bryce showered on me then. So, I chose him over everything else. “One day you’ll learn the difference between a man who loves you and a man who needs you,” my father had said. “I only pray it isn’t too late.” After that day, the relationship I had with my father was strained. We argued about everything, and things had gotten heated that morning before he died. I didn’t know he’d died until… Bryce informed me. * “Kaia Holloway, you’ve got a visitor.” I jumped to my feet anxiously and impatiently waited for my prison warden to open the cell. My heart raced at the thoughts of Bryce visiting me. Instinctively, I rubbed my hands over my stomach, a single tear streaming down my cheek. For three years, I’d waited patiently to have a baby. Bryce always talked about having one also, and now that our dreams were about to be fulfilled, he’d stabbed me in the back. Jessie, my prison warden, led me towards the space where Bryce was waiting. I planned silently to tell him about the pregnancy. Maybe he’d come back to his senses and change his mind. I was willing to forgive and forget everything if he accepted the baby and cleared my name. Quietly, I walked to meet him with mixed emotions. “Good morning,” I greeted as soon as I saw him, then licked my lips nervously. He glanced at me with an unreadable expression. “How have they been treating you?” My stomach churned. “Like a prisoner.” He simply nodded and pointed at the chair I was supposed to sit on. “I have something to tell you.” We said at the same time. And for a few minutes, nothing was heard in the thick silence that hovered around us. “You go first,” I muttered, hating that we’d gotten so awkward and it made me turn my face away uncomfortably. “Are you sure?” I heard him ask, and nodded to confirm. I was eager to know what he wanted to tell me. Maybe it was even more important than what I had in mind. Without hesitation, Bryce shook his head and pulled out a brown envelope from his suitcase. I watched him through the corners of my eyes, wondering what the envelope contained. “Here,” he said huskily, pushing the envelope forward to me. “I need you to sign this.” I arched my eyebrows suspiciously as I wondered what he needed me to sign. I felt his eyes on me while picking up the envelope, and it made me curious. “What’s in here?” I asked. “Open it.” I tore the envelope open and retrieved the paper inside. My eyes scanned through each line as I read, but my chest tightened a few seconds later after seeing a particular word. Was I reading it wrong? Or were my eyes deceiving me? I shifted my gaze to Bryce, with my mouth wide open. Was he being for real? These were— “Divorce papers?” I said loudly in surprise, my tears already forming again. “You’re filing for a divorce?” My hands began to shake, and every other word I tried to utter remained stuck in my throat. “No…” I looked up at him. “Bryce… You can’t be serious.” He folded his hands neatly on the table, turning a blind eye to my tears and heavy breathing. “I’ve already signed. I just need your signature.” My heart shattered. “Why?” He looked me straight in the eyes without the slightest hint of guilt. Then he leaned forward, the words slipping out of his lips bitterly. “Because I refuse to spend the rest of my life married to a murderer.” Chapter 3 KAIA Betraying and throwing me in jail wasn’t enough for Bryce Holloway. He just had to divorce me so everything would be finalized. With a heavy heart and shaky fingers, I signed the divorce papers. No more begging, no more fighting, and most importantly… Not a single word about my pregnancy. I was going to find a way. But the last thing I’d ever do was tell him about our baby. My vision blurred with tears when I looked at him after signing the papers. He didn’t even look at me, and my voice was unsteady when I said… “It’s all done, Bryce.” He reached for the papers and folded them back into his suitcase. I didn’t wait for another second. I stood up immediately, turned around to leave, but his voice halted me. “I hope you understand why I’m doing this, Kaia.” I swallowed hard, my tears flowing freely. I didn’t understand why he did everything he did, but I didn’t bother to argue with him. My ears picked up the sound of his shoes already leaving. And while I stood there, crying, Bryce said his final words to me. “Goodbye, Kaia.” * Two days later I sat hopelessly in my cell when Jessie came again. I didn’t even bother to stand up or move because I had nobody else to visit me. “Kaia,” she muttered. “Someone wants to see you.” My eyes narrowed as I stared at her. Who had come to see me? Did Bryce return? Did he come to resolve things and make them right? “Who is it?” I asked. She opened the gates and shook her head. “You’ll see when you get there.” She led the way towards the waiting space and I halted when I saw who was there, waiting for me. It was a man, but it wasn’t Bryce. He stood tall with a commanding physique. His eyes narrowed when they saw me, and I panicked as I dragged my feet closer. Roman Ashford. My father’s Attorney. I sat down quietly, my throat tightening in fear as I thought of all the possible reasons he was there. “Good morning, Ms. Bennett.” Ms. Bennett. I reckoned that the news of my divorce must have made headlines everywhere. “Attorney Ashford,” I muttered. He placed his briefcase on the table, fixating his eyes on me before continuing. “I’m here because your father left me with instructions.” My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “What instructions?” He sighed. “To protect you if anything ever happened to him. Your father feared something like this would happen.” My confusion grew. I had no idea what he was talking about, but I knew that my father hated Bryce and always had negative feelings towards him. “So, you’re going to help me?” I asked. “My ex-husband forged evidence against me.” “Forged?” He asked like he didn’t believe me. “You’re saying that you’re innocent?” “Yes!” I cried. “I’m innocent. The only thing that happened that morning was the argument I had with my father. I left after that, and only heard the news of his death later that evening.” Roman stared at me for a few more minutes, and I groaned in frustration. My hatred for Bryce grew, and I regretted ever meeting him in the first place. “It’s going to be really difficult to prove your innocence,” Roman stated. “I’ve seen the forensic evidence, and everything points at you being the killer.” My stomach churned. Tears returned in my eyes, and my words refused to form even after I parted my lips. “Right now, I don’t know if you’re innocent or guilty, Ms. Bennett,” Roman said. “But I promised your father I’d do what he wanted. And that’s exactly what I’ll do.” “Thank you,” I whispered through the tears. “In the meantime, take care of yourself. I’ll have a few conversations so you’d be transferred to a better place rather than sharing a cell with other inmates.” I nodded quietly, wiping the tears off my face. The three days I’d spent there were a living hell. Knowing I was pregnant was another painful thing. A wave of nausea suddenly rolled through me. I instinctively placed a hand against my stomach before lowering it the moment Roman glanced in my direction. I contemplated telling Roman about my pregnancy, but didn’t know if it was the right thing to do. After pondering in silence for several minutes, I decided to keep it until I was sure that I could trust him. Roman stood up, already preparing to leave. “I’ll visit soon, Ms. Bennett. Since the evidence Bryce Holloway dropped was tangible, finding a way out would take much longer than expected.” I stood up as well, slight relief surging through my body. I prayed silently that Roman would find a way, and I appreciated that my father still cared about me, even in death. “Okay, Attorney.” He looked up at me again. “Ms. Bennett.” “Yes?” “Eat whatever they give you,” I nodded in confusion before he added. “You’ll need your strength.” Roman took his leave after that. Before Jessie could take me back to my cell, I received another visitor. It was the last person I expected to see, but it wasn’t shocking to know she’d come. If anything, she was there to mock me because it was what she’d always done. Daniella Bennett. My stepsister who hated me with everything she had. She loathed me. “Orange really suits you, Kaia,” she smirked, halting in front of me. “You finally look exactly how I imagined.” My teeth clenched as I glared at her. From childhood, Daniella constantly saw me as her rival, and it didn’t help matters that my stepmother had the same issue. “What are you doing here?” I asked. She answered dryly. “Don’t be like that, sister. Is it bad that I came to pay you a visit?” A visit? I snorted. “I was about to return to my cell,” I said. “You can take your leave now.” I turned around to leave, but her words halted me in my tracks. “How could you kill our father?” That sounded like a joke to my ears because Daniella knew I was the last person who’d ever do that. Still, she always had this opposite view of me in her head where I was despicable and evil. “It’s not a surprise that you’d say that,” I said. She stepped forward, her eyes blazing as they bore into mine. Something glistened on her finger, and I caught sight of the ring on it. “You’re going to pay for your crime,” she snarled. “And while you’re doing that, I’ll be getting married to the love of my life.” She raised her finger to my face, waving the ring for me to see. I rolled my eyes, crossed my arms, and asked her… “Congratulations. And who’s the unlucky man that asked you to be his wife?” Daniella’s eyes flashed with anger before they settled into something neutral. Her lips parted, and her voice slowly responded. “It’s someone you know.” I hissed, totally uninterested. “I don’t care.” “Well, you should,” she laughed, stepping closer as she whispered in my ears. “It’s the man of your dreams… Bryce Holloway.” I froze. My breath caught, and before I could fully grasp what she’d said, Daniella added scornfully. “Your husband proposed yesterday, Kaia,” she murmured. “He said he should’ve chosen me from the beginning.” Chapter 4 KAIA “Bryce said marrying you was the biggest mistake of his life,” Daniella said. “He only married you because of your inheritance.” The words replayed in my head as I walked back to my cell. I cried my eyes out, almost choking and struggling to breathe properly. Bryce and Daniella? Getting married? Betraying me? Was that the reason they’d framed me? Because they wanted to be together? When Jessie brought food that evening, I refused to eat. My appetite was gone, and all that was left was the heartbreak that threatened to take away my breath. Days passed, and nobody else paid me a visit. Even Roman didn’t come, and I was starting to lose all hopes. What frightened me more was giving birth in that place. My baby deserved a better life since the father turned out to be a monster. But I couldn’t even give my baby a better life. Two weeks after the last visit, I had another visitor. Jessie informed me that Roman was waiting, and I weakly walked to meet him. “You don’t look good, Ms. Bennett,” he said the moment he saw me. “Are you fine?” I grew weaker by each second, and it was difficult to keep my pregnancy hidden as the symptoms were telling on me. I sat down tiredly, then slowly raised my head to face him. I decided right there to tell him about the pregnancy. “I’m pregnant.” The surprise reaction I expected didn’t last for long. Instead, Roman froze for a second then leaned forward and asked in concern. “Does Bryce know?” I shook my head as tears formed in my eyes. “He didn’t even give me the chance to tell him.” Roman sighed. “Has the prison doctor examined you?” “Not yet.” “Kaia…” it was the first time he’d ever called my name. “Do you seriously want to keep this away from him?” Tears blurred my vision as I stared at him. What was the point of telling Bryce? He was getting married to Daniella anyway. And if he ever found out about the baby, he’d want full custody while I remained in jail. He would have Daniella raise my baby, and I knew without a doubt that she was going to maltreat that baby. It was the last thing I wanted. For my child to go through the same thing I experienced in my stepmother’s hands. “I’m keeping this baby a secret.” “Bryce is going to find out sooner or later,” Roman uttered. “And you know the state is going to take this baby away from you if you give birth here before your innocence is proven.” I’d thought hard about that, but I refused to tell Bryce about it. “That’s why you’re going to help me,” I reached for his hand, pleading with my eyes and words. “Please help me get out of here before I lose my mind and my baby.” He sighed tiredly, then leaned forward, his eyes flashing briefly to my stomach. “Your baby will be fine. I’ll arrange for prenatal care.” I sniffled. “You have no idea what I’m going through here. A few days ago, Daniella came here to shove her ring in my face.” Roman’s eyes flashed with pity. “She’s getting married to Bryce next month. And your stepmother, Vivian, is making all the preparations.” Another sharp pain sliced through my chest. I hated all of them for trying to get rid of me because they wanted to have everything they wanted. But I hated Bryce more that he was foolish enough to not think about everything I’d sacrificed for him. My lips trembled as I whispered. “They can have the wedding. She can have Bryce if that’s what she wants. But I swear, I’m going to make them pay for doing this to me.” That was a promise from the depth of my heart. They’d all betrayed me and threw me into prison after accusing me of murdering the only person that loved me genuinely. I was going to make them pay. Daniella. Bryce. Vivian. * The news of Bryce and Daniella’s wedding was everywhere even after it happened. I heard from Jessie, that they had the after-party in the boat my father bought for me on my twenty-fifth birthday. I cried my eyes out that night on the day of the wedding. Bryce refused to pay me another visit, and never even cared about my well-being. Roman was the only one consistent with the visits. He made sure the prison doctor examined me regularly, and showed up with positive news whenever it came. Three months later, my stepmother, Vivian, paid me a visit. At first, I didn’t want to see her, but then, Jessie said it was something important. The moment Vivian saw me, her eyes fell on my stomach, and they widened suspiciously. “Don’t tell me you’ve been messing around with men in here,” she’d said. I ignored her sly remarks. It wasn’t new to me anymore because she’d always branded me as someone who slept around. “What are you doing here, Vivian?” She sat down, but I refused to take my seat. I stood a few feet away from her, watching as she placed her handbag on the table. “Is that how to address the woman who took care of you for fifteen years?” I snorted. “You took care of me? All you’ve ever done is maltreat and torment me since the day my father brought you home.” Vivian scoffed. “Yet, you killed him for being a good father to you. Isn’t that enough reason that good people don’t last long?” My jaw clenched. I wanted to retaliate so badly, but I held myself back. Inhaling sharply, I repeated the question loudly. “What do you want this time, Vivian?” I asked. “The last time I checked, we weren’t even on talking terms.” “Since your father was murdered,” she began. “You should know by now that his properties need to be protected and shared accordingly.” I should’ve known that was the reason she was there. It was because of his properties. It had always been about the things he owned, and that was why she loathed me. I snickered. “Properties? It’s only been three months since he died and you’re thinking about owning what he had?” Vivian’s expression remained unchanged. “I have no idea why Fredrick didn’t disown you like he initially wanted. It would’ve been better.” “Apparently, my father knew better than to fall for your manipulative words.” She chuckled dryly. “Anyway, I contacted the Attorney. And he said you have to be present before the will is read.” I swallowed hard, feeling a lump in my throat. “And?” “You’re going to be in here for a long time, Kaia,” she whispered. “And that’s why… I’ve come here to make a proposal.” A proposal… Vivian Bennett never made deals or proposals if she never benefited from them. My voice was uninterested. “What proposal?” She leaned forward, her red lips parting slowly as she uttered the words in a calm voice. “I know the Attorney has been paying you a visit.” “Is that supposed to be a problem?” “It depends,” she said. “On what’s going on between both of you.” Vivian was unbelievable. Even when they had me thrown into prison, she still had the audacity to think that I was sleeping around? I felt disgusted and insulted by her words. “Get out, Vivian.” I snapped at her. Rather than leaving, she reclined her back against the chair with a small smile touching her lips. “I only need one thing from you before I leave,” she murmured. “I have no interest whatsoever.” She smiled, slowly sliding a document across the table even when I kept asking her to leave. “Sign this authorization.” I glanced at the paper suspiciously. “What does it do?” “Sign it… And I’ll make sure Bryce withdraws the evidence against you.” I laughed bitterly, knowing Vivian definitely had something hidden under her sleeves. “Why would you help me?” She tilted her head slightly. “Because I believe everyone deserves a second chance.” Those words came from the wrong person’s mouth. I scoffed in disbelief, and almost retreated but her voice rang out coercively again. “Just sign it, Kaia,” Vivian said. “The sooner you do… the sooner you’ll walk out of this prison.” Chapter 5 KAIA “Over my dead body,” I said through clenched teeth. “I’m never going to do that.” Anger flashed through Vivian’s face, and it was exactly what I’d expected. She was always used to getting her way that it bruised her ego whenever she got rejected. She stood up angrily, slamming her fists against the table while her eyes blazed with fury. “Do you have any idea what I’m willing to do for you?” She spat. “I’m about to give you your freedom on a platter of gold.” Her words made me laugh. Not because they were funny, but because she sounded like a clown. “A platter?” “Yes!” Vivian screeched. “What do you think will happen? You think that little Attorney is going to save you? With all the evidence that has been gathered against you? Wake up from your slumber, Kaia.” Her words sank deep into me, striking the fear I’d tried to bury inside me. Although I had faith in Roman, I couldn’t help the doubts that also crawled in. Bryce Holloway was ruthless, and he knew the most influential people in the city. He could easily make a phone call and the man in the highest rank of power would respond with fear. And if he wanted—he could make me rot in jail till whenever he wanted. I stared at Vivian, my fingers fidgeting slightly as I tried not to show any hint of fear. She waited patiently for my response, waited for me to say that I’d accepted her proposal. But… “You can go to hell for all I care and rot there,” I spat out. “For years, you’ve constantly put me against my father, telling him untrue things about me and almost making him disown me.” Tears formed in my eyes at the reminder of the past that flashed through my mind. I recalled how many times I’d been punished for things Daniella did, but Vivian had lied to my father about. She sneered, brushing my words and pain off like they didn’t matter. Or like I was overreacting to the pain she’d caused me since childhood. “Don’t tell me you still hold a grudge from the past, Kaia.” “Why wouldn’t I hold a grudge?” I laughed bitterly. “You almost ruined my life. And you think it’s nothing?” “You’re overreacting at this point, Kaia.” “Overreacting?” My voice cracked softly. “Turning me against my father wasn’t enough, you’re trying to keep me away from his will now? That’s going against what he wanted.” Vivian slammed her fists against the table for the second time, and it attracted a few laughs and eyes that glanced at us. “Fredrick never knew what he wanted,” she rasped. “He had so much hope for you, but look at how you turned out.” Holding back my tears from falling was harder than I thought. So, I let them fall freely, even though I hated acting that vulnerable in front of a woman that loved watching me break. “I… I turned out just fine.” She laughed mockingly, her fingers pointing at me as she tilted her head backward. “You? Come on, Kaia. You made the worst mistakes all your life. Look at your choice of a husband. You even struggled to make it through college and got pregnant at sixteen.” That was typical Vivian Bennett. Always mocking you with the same things she’d caused to happen. Yes, I’d gotten pregnant, and I had a miscarriage after. “I was sixteen!” I cried. “I was young and naive. You know how much I suffered after making that mistake.” A surge of emotions coursed through my body as flashbacks replayed in my mind. There wasn’t a hint of pity or remorse on her face when it happened ten years ago, and there was none now that I was repeating it. Vivian held on to her belief that I’d deliberately made a mistake that ruined the relationship I had with my father. “Your father did everything for you, Kaia. Yet you disappointed him.” Hot tears streamed down my cheek, and I sobbed without control. Having to remember something that traumatic made my stomach ache. I felt the wave of nausea burning through my body, but tried my best to avoid throwing up there. “You lied about me to my father, Vivian,” I sobbed. “But it didn’t matter to you because I wasn’t your biological daughter.” She tutted. “You think you’re so innocent, Kaia, and that’s your problem. Fredrick showered you with so much love that he left Daniella hanging in the shadows because you took his attention away from her.” That wasn’t true. My father loved us both equally, but Daniella kept messing things up, and started showing signs of waywardness. “Daniella never appreciated Dad’s efforts,” I said. “Lies,” she snarled. “Look, I’m not going to stand here and watch you run your mouth about events that occurred more than a decade ago.” I exhaled sharply. “Me neither.” She straightened her shoulders and faced me squarely. My eyes glanced around the space for Jessie as I struggled to keep my knees from going numb. “I’m going to give you one last chance,” Vivian said. “Are you accepting my offer or not?” Another sharp pain cut through my lower abdomen, and I clutched my stomach tightly. “I’d rather eat glass than accept your offer.” Her lips pressed into a thin line as she grabbed her bag. Vivian shot me a cold glare, her voice laced with disappointment. “Just so you know,” she stated as she picked up the document she’d placed on the table. “That will is going to be read with or without your presence. I’m going to make sure of it.” How could Vivian be so certain? Roman said the will couldn’t be read without me… unless Vivian knew something I didn’t. I barely paid attention to her as the pain in my stomach kept getting worse. She kept talking when all I wanted was for her to leave. “And you’ve just lost your chance of freedom. Enjoy your life sentence, Kaia.” My eyes trailed after her retreating figure. The sound of her heels clicking on the floor echoed through my ears until she was completely gone. I tried to turn around to leave as well, but the pain prevented me from taking a step. My breaths turned heavy, and I didn’t notice anything until… Something warm trickled down my legs, and a familiar voice yelled at me. “Kaia! You’re bleeding!” Chapter 6 KAIA “You should be more careful next time,” the prison Doctor said to me. “You almost lost your babies.” My eyebrows furrowed in confusion after he’d said the words. For a moment, I thought I’d heard wrong. “Wait? Babies?” He wrote something down on his notepad after using his stethoscope on me. I fixated my eyes on him, waiting for every word that left his lips. “Yes, Ms. Bennett,” he responded with a small smile tugging at his lips. “You’re pregnant with twins.” I felt a sharp ringing in my ears and I scoffed in disbelief. Twins? It wasn’t just one baby like I thought? My emotions began to flood through my body. A mixture of excitement and sadness filled my mind, and it increased my desperation for freedom. “Congratulations, Ms. Bennett.” He said again, his voice jolting me out of my reverie. I swallowed hard, forced a small smile over my lips, then nodded like I wasn’t completely broken inside. My mind drifted to Bryce again. If only, he hadn’t turned his back on me, maybe we would’ve raised these babies together. But… that was only a mere thought that stemmed from past memories and a broken heart. Even if he showed up right in front of me at that moment, it wouldn’t change the hatred that I had for him. I hated Bryce Holloway for tossing me into prison like I hadn’t spent the last six years of my life sacrificing what I had for him. All for what? Power? More fame and wealth? A marriage with my stepsister because he felt she was the true love of his life? The doctor prescribed and gave me a few medicines, told me to rest for the rest of the day, then took his leave. Five minutes after he left, Jessie came with an announcement and a tray of food. “You’ve got a visitor,” she said, setting the tray on the table next to me. I sighed tiredly. “Is Roman here because you told him I fainted and bled?” He was always there whenever she complained about anything that happened to me. And I felt like it wasn’t necessary most of the time. He was an Attorney, and he had more important matters to handle than constantly being there to see me. “It’s not Attorney Roman,” Jessie stated. “It’s your ex-husband.” My eyes widened. “Bryce?” What was he doing there after months of ghosting me? The divorce was already finalized, and he’d gotten what he wanted. There wasn’t anything binding us together except the babies which he had no idea about. Or did Vivian say something to him? Did she open her lousy mouth and utter words that weren’t true as usual? “That lousy woman,” I muttered under my breath. “She must’ve said something that prompted his sudden visit.” I regretted that I’d given her an audience when she came the other day. Honestly, I didn’t even want to see Bryce, but I had to force myself after Jessie coerced me to give him a listening ear. The moment he saw me, he stood up from his seat and began to lash out like it was something he’d waited so long to do. His eyes fell on my stomach first, and they narrowed angrily. “So, it’s true?” He snapped. “You’ve been messing with men here?” I didn’t even have the strength to be annoyed at his remarks. I sat down because the pregnancy was telling on me, and I remained calm. That infuriated Bryce more, and his voice grew louder. “Didn’t you hear what I said?” I snickered. “What’s your deal, Bryce? The last time I checked, we’re divorced. Why are you here and yelling about something that’s none of your business?” “Because Vivian told me that you were pregnant,” he confirmed my suspicions. “And I didn’t expect it to be true.” I hissed. “That shouldn’t be your problem.” “You really moved on that quickly?” He scoffed. “We’ve been barely divorced. And I thought Vivian was lying.” Like I cared? Vivian was always running her mouth even without being asked anything. I’d let that stop bothering me a long time ago. My voice remained firm and calm in the midst of the storm brewing inside me. It had taken lots of pain and humiliation for me to get to that point. And I had my unsupportive, vile family to thank for that. “For the last time, Bryce,” I said. “My pregnancy shouldn’t be your business.” “But it is,” he said angrily. “You’re my wife, Kaia.” “Ex-wife,” I corrected through gritted teeth. “You brought the divorce papers and I signed it, remember?” He swallowed hard and paused for a moment. I thought I saw a flicker of regret in his eyes, but it didn’t last long before shifting into something neutral again. “We’ve only been divorced for three months, Kaia.” Yet he was remarried to my stepsister. “And?” He paused again, his eyes fixed on my stomach like he was silently calculating, then he raised his eyes to my face. “Wait, don’t tell me it’s what I’m thinking, Kaia.” I absolutely did not care about whatever he was thinking. “I have a question for you, Kaia,” he whispered, his voice calm as he leaned towards me. “And I need you to answer it genuinely.” My heart began to race, and I tried not to think too much about what he had in mind. I darted my eyes away from him, irritated by his sight. “I’m talking to you, Kaia.” “And you haven’t asked your question,” I retorted before standing up angrily. “In fact, don’t ask me anything because I’m not going to respond.” A part of me already knew what he wanted to ask, and I didn’t want to give him any answer. I made an attempt to turn around and leave, but Bryce grabbed my wrist, stopping me from leaving. My eyes glanced at his fingers tightened around my wrist before looking at his face. “Please,” his voice croaked. “Just answer me.” It was hard to believe that Bryce was the same person pleading for a question. I mean, after everything he’d done, I never expected him to show his face to me anymore. My stomach churned, and I remained there against my will, my heart pounding violently in my chest. When I didn’t say anything, his voice proceeded to ask slowly. “Is that baby mine, Kaia?”