The Husband Who Sent Me to Prison

Jenna Carter was volunteering at the animal shelter when she ran into her ex-husband, whom she hadn't seen in five years. Lucas Reed had long shed his shy, sensitive self. Now in a perfectly tailored, expensive suit, he carried himself with calm confidence, the image of an elite. The moment he saw Jenna, he froze, shock evident in his voice. "Jenna? What are you doing here?" Jenna lowered her eyes and continued gently brushing the little ginger kitten's fur, saying nothing. Lucas stepped forward two paces. His tall figure cast a shadow over her completely. "I went to Oakridge Correctional Facility to see you. The guards said you were released three months ago," he said, his voice deeper than she remembered, carrying a subtle tension. "Why didn't you contact me when you got out?" Jenna placed the kitten into its cage and slowly pushed herself up against the wall. Her left leg sent a familiar pain through her. Five years in prison had left her disabled in that leg and had completely erased all her feelings for Lucas. She tugged at the corner of her mouth, but her eyes held no warmth. The air between them felt frozen. Lucas furrowed his brow, his gaze complex as he stared at her, his Adam's apple moving. "I know you're still angry with me, but back then…" "It's all over," Jenna cut him off coldly, limping around him. Lucas's pupils shrank as he saw her walk with a limp. His eyes flickered with a hint of pain. "Your leg…" He was about to move closer when an innocent child's voice rang out. "Dad, I want to keep that puppy! It lost a leg and it's so sad. You said we should be kind!" Jenna froze and looked over. The little boy, around four or five, shared a strong resemblance to Lucas. He pointed at a small dog with hopeful eyes. Lucas reached out to pat his head, his voice soft. "Okay, we'll take it home." Jenna's hand clenched involuntarily, her nails digging into her palm. She glanced at her slightly crippled left leg, then at the puppy's injured leg. Her eyes stung. The same kind of brokenness. But the puppy could be cared for and brought home, while her leg, and everything she had lost, would never come back. If her child from all those years ago had survived, perhaps it would have been just as vibrant. For five years, she had dreamed of that unborn child, calling to her in the darkness, over and over, "Mom." "Lucas, I've made a reservation at Cloudview Restaurant," a gentle female voice said. It was Stella Hayes, once Jenna's closest friend. Lucas didn't move, his gaze still fixed on Jenna. Frowning, Stella followed his eyes and saw Jenna's face. Her pupils widened, and she covered her mouth in shock. "Jenna? You're out?" She hurried forward and grabbed Jenna's wrist, her voice urgent. "We've been worried about you these years." Jenna jerked her hand free and said coldly, "I'm leaving." "You just got out. Life must be hard," Stella said, her eyes flickering with contempt and smugness, though she feigned concern. "Let me transfer some money to you. Don't be shy." Jenna stared at her pretending, her stomach churning. "No need," she said sharply and turned to leave. "Jenna!" Lucas hurried after her, blocking her path. "Where are you staying? What are you doing? It's not easy to find a job after what you went through. Why not work at my company?" Stella immediately chimed in, her eyes secretly venomous. "Yes, that way we can look after you…" Jenna glanced at both of them with a calm, unshaken tone. "We divorced five years ago. Past grievances are settled. My life is no concern of yours." She didn't look back at either of them and walked out of the shelter with firm, steady steps. She was careful not to glance back again, fearing the waves of nausea that churned in her stomach. Pulling out her phone, she texted Victoria Lang, her lawyer. Jenna: How long before I can pick him up? Victoria: Three days. Jenna exhaled sharply and put her phone away. The burning gaze behind her still felt like a blade, but her steps didn't falter. From the moment she had entered Oakridge Correctional Facility, the old Jenna had already died.