GOING TO JAIL

The doors of the cell opened. “You have a visitor.” The female officer announced to me.

I didn’t say anything, just stood and followed her to the room where prisoners received guests. There was Alex waiting for me.

I took the bench opposite him, the female officer gave us privacy to talk but was still present in the room.

“How’s cell life been for you, Lyvanne?” I heard the taunt in his tone.

It made me want to cry that the man I’d loved for two years could do this to me and feel no remorse. It was really a cruel world and love was quite a pathetic emotion.

“Alex, does it give you this much joy to see me suffering?” I couldn’t stop the trembling in my voice even if I wanted to.

“If it gave you that much joy to kill my unborn child, then yes.” He replied sharply.

I licked my dry lips as I blinked back tears. “I didn't do it, Alex.”

“Still denying it, huh? You despicable person.” He sneered in derision.

“I am not, Alex. I didn’t do it. Please get me out of here, I beg you.” I grabbed his hands.

He snatched them away. “Don’t touch me, you’re so evil! I’ll never forgive you for doing what you did to Isabelle.”

I wiped tears and sniffled. “If you won’t bail me, can you at least call my brother for me. He should be able to help me.”

“Don’t you get it, Lyvanne? No one is coming to your rescue. No one will help you, not even your brother Lucas.” The taunt in his voice was too humiliating but at this point, I’d take the humiliation if it would get me bailed and released.

I hated it in here. Three days already and I was beginning to feel like I’d run mad. I was both aching and restless physically, emotionally and mentally.

“No, I don’t believe you.” I shook my head in denial. “Lucas is my brother, he won’t abandon me here. Just call him for me.”

“I guess you should hear from the horse’s mouth, then.” He brought out his phone and dialed Lucas’s number.

It rang a few times before he picked it up. “Mr. Saint?”

“Hello, Lucas. I’m here with your sister. She’s in prison.”

“In prison? What did she do?” My brother asked from the other end of the line.

“Don’t listen to him, Lucas. I didn’t do what he’s about to say. I’m innocent, please come get me out.” I quickly spoke before Alex could.

“Will you shut up Lyvanne and let the man talk?” My brother shunned me.

I was a bit taken aback but didn’t say anything.

“Your sister here pushed the woman carrying my child and I lost my child. She’s denying it, it made me angry and I had her thrown in the cell.” Alex narrated, keeping eye contact with me.

“Then she should pay for her crime, Mr. Saint.” My brother concluded.

“What?! Lucas, how can you say this? You don’t believe me?” I was heartbroken and helpless at this point.

“You commit a crime, pay for it. That’s life. You’re not any special so why should you not be punished for your crime?” My brother deadpanned.

More tears poured. “I am in this mess because of you, Lucas! Because of the family! If I hadn’t married him, if you guys hadn’t all but pushed me to him, I would be living my life and achieving my dreams! Lucas, don’t do this to me, I beg of you.”

“Goodbye, Mr. Saint.”

“Goodbye Lucas.” Alex ended the call.

I was all alone. It suddenly dawned on me how much of a fool I had been to sacrifice my freedom to marry a man just to keep my family afloat and living well.

And how it was a mistake on my part to love this said man when our marriage was never based on love in the first place. He had always treated me coldly and more often than not, he'd been strict.

My shoulders quaked from the force of my sobs.

“Just agree you did it and maybe I’ll let you out.” He said, not feeling sorry for me.

Not even the slightest hint of empathy masked his expression.

“But I didn’t do it. You have to please believe me, I didn’t do it.” I sniffled. “Even if I did agree to doing it, even though I didn’t, you still won’t let me out.”

“Yeah, you’re right. I would even increase your punishment.”

“Alex what did I ever do to you? I have been a good wife, I did everything you asked of me even when they weren’t favorable to me. I made sure to please you at all times. I didn’t push Isabelle. I didn’t even touch her. She was the one who placed my hands on her chest and made it seem like it was me. Please, I beg of you, I didn’t do it. Tell them to let me go.”

“You know Lyvanne, the more you sit there and lie, the more I hate you.” His words slapped me so hard like a whip.

More tears poured through and down my cheeks. “B-but I’m n-not lying, Alex. I’m not, I swear on my life.”

“Your life means nothing to me. The life that matters to me, you put in danger. That is an unforgivable sin.” He spat in my face.

I flinched as though he’d hit me yet again.

“For killing my unborn child and putting Isabelle’s life in danger, I’ll make sure you spend two years here without a court hearing.” It was a cold promise, one he was already fulfilling.

Two more years in this hellhole? Oh no!

“No, you can’t do this. Alex, please.” He rose to his feet as I went on my knees. “Alex, you can’t leave me here for two years, please. Don’t be this mean, I beg of you. Please.”

He Ignored me, signalling the female officer. “I’m done here.”

The female officer came to take me back to my cell, I cried and begged, calling Alex who left without looking back, not even once.