A Lifetime Paid for Three Years Caged

The iron gate of the prison slammed shut heavily behind me, the cold wind carrying the sharp bite of late autumn stinging my cheeks. I clenched the crumpled note in my pocket—Ian Goodman's promise from three years ago: "Jane, when you come out, we will marry." At the moment I looked up, the sky was suddenly lit up by countless drones, forming a giant photo. In the image, Ian wore a sharp suit, standing beside Ruby Baker, whose smile bloomed like a flower. The marriage certificate they held was glaringly red. My mind went blank as those carefully suppressed memories suddenly surged forth. Out of jealousy over my relationship with Ian, Ruby secretly lured me deep into the mountains and sold me to a stranger. The first time I miscarried, I lay on the cold earthen bed, blood soaking through the thin quilt, calling out Ian's name—only to be met with the man's beating and scolding. Later, Ian found me. He held me, crying, and said he would make Ruby pay, but in the end, she only stayed in the hospital for half a month. During my second pregnancy, I carefully protected my belly, but Ruby forged evidence to accuse me of murder. The dagger bore my fingerprints, and there was even a "witness" who identified me at the scene. When Ian came to see me, there wasn't a trace of trust in his eyes. He said, "Jane, how could you do such a thing? Ruby is a kind girl; why do you always pick on her?" I wanted to explain, to tell him everything was Ruby's scheme, but he simply refused to listen. He left me with only one sentence: "I'll try to get you a lighter sentence," then turned and walked away. However that sentence was for three years. "Jane, long time no see." Ruby's voice came from behind me. She linked arms with Ian and casually shook the diamond ring on her hand. I fixed my gaze on her, sharp as a blade. "Where is my mother? Before I came out, she sent me a letter through someone." Ruby sneered, running a hand through her hair. "Mrs. Sheen? She passed away last month. When she left, she didn't have a single person by her side. It was truly pitiful." "What did you say?" I rushed forward, trying to grab her collar, but Ian pushed me away with one hand. Ruby collapsed to the ground, a wound appearing on her wrist without my noticing, blood slowly seeping out. "Ian, look at Jane—I was only stating facts. Why is she so rude?" She looked at Ian with a wronged expression, tears flowing like broken strings of pearls. Ian crouched down to help her up, then turned to me with eyes full of disgust. "Jane, you just got out and you're already stirring up trouble. Do you want to go back in again?" When he pressed his palm against my chest, I didn't flinch; I only felt my heart shatter, a pain so fierce that even breathing was difficult. Behind him, Ruby flashed me a victory sign, her eyes like poisoned needles.