"It can''t be happening. How did things turn so bad?"


    Mia frantically tried to dash out but was swiftly restrained by several individuals.


    She overheard thewyer discussing with someone nearby, "Aggravated assault, transfer to a maximum-security prison..." The words echoed in her head like a harsh reality check.


    Her pupils contracted sharply, and her mind felt like it was splitting apart. Her brother was signing her death warrant by having her thrown into a maximum-security prison. How long could shest among those hardened criminals? The thought alone petrified her.


    She couldn''t face that.


    "I was wrong, I truly didn''t mean it. Please, call my brother. It was an ident, I swear."


    Mia knelt, her head touching the cold floor repeatedly in desperation.


    However, thewyer and his team paid her no heed, proceeding with the formalities of handing her over to the police.


    Tears streamed down Mia''s face as she helplessly watched them.


    Until a pair of polished shoes came to a halt in front of her. She looked up to see the leadwyer crouching down, his tone light but chilling.


    "Miss Mia, being transferred to a maximum-security prison was Mr. Haskins'' directive. You''re aware of the kind of people housed there. At best, you''llst a few months before your sanity begins to wane. If you''re still alive after a year, we might consider moving you to a psychiatric facility. Enjoy this journey, not every convict gets the opportunity to experience a maximum-security prison."


    He patted her cheek mockingly as if she were a misbehaving pet.


    Mia''s temper red.


    "Get away from me! Who do you think you are to talk to me like that? Call my brother, I need to speak to him! You must have overstepped your bounds!"


    The man sighed, stood up, and walked away without hesitation.


    "Come back! Please, I''m truly sorry. I shouldn''t haveshed out. I''m sorry, really sorry."


    As the man and his team left without looking back, Mia''s fear became palpable, her legs giving out beneath her.


    Her lips quivered, and tears flowed uncontrobly as if a dam had broken.


    Yet, no one around offered her anyfort, as if she had beenpletely forsaken.


    "Brother, I''m so sorry!"


    But who was there to hear her?Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    The hospital corridor quickly filled with people.


    Maja sarcastically said to Fitch, "I knew it. Zoey being with you was bound to end badly. You found her but couldn''t protect her. If we can''t save her this time, I wonder how many years you n to wait this time, Fitch. Howe Zoey''s luck is soharsh?"


    Fitch remained silent, the taste of iron thick in his mouth.


    Everything around him seemed dim


    and unstable, like a flickering


    painting. He couldn''t see clearly, only


    aware of voices around him but


    unable to discern their words.


    People came and went in the corridor, leaving onlyn and Fitch behind after two long days and nights.


    Nn, who had sustained minor


    injuries, had already been


    discharged. Though now awake, he


    remained silent, his eyes red,


    evidently aware of Zoey''s dire situation.


    Fitch''s eyshes trembled, but he remained silent.


    Another day passed, leaving Fitch alone in the corridor, the others having gone home to rest.


    With bloodshot eyes, he sat in his chair, waiting.


    When Zoey was finally wheeled out, Fitch felt the world regain its rity.


    He hurried to stand but nearly copsed from the sudden movement. "How is she?"