After Divorce, My General Husband Chasing… 1/5

Chapter 2: The Prison

During her four years in the slammer, her ego was beaten down by whips, cigarette burns, and scalding water. She saw one bloody body after another and heard nonstop screams from dying people. Sometimes, she’d wake up at night or open her eyes in the morning to find a cold corpse staring at her, eyes wide open and accusing. Or she’d feel the warm blood of someone who’d just kicked the bucket. The leftover warmth, the salty metallic smell, and the bright red were overwhelming, making her feel like she couldn’t breathe.

Four years in that hellhole felt like death had its hand around her soul, always making her scared she’d die next. Now, after barely making it out alive, she was free. All that stuff about love, hate, and even being a Prescott heiress meant squat to her anymore. She just wanted to stay alive.

“We’re here. Remember what you’re supposed to do. Cross Grandma, and you know the consequences.”

Harrison’s warning brought her back to reality as she realized they had arrived at the hospital. Frederick had already left the car without her noticing.

“I understand, Mr. Prescott,” Claire replied, hurriedly nodding. She knew Elizabeth was her only lifeline. Only if Elizabeth lived a long life could she avoid returning to that hellish abyss.

Looking up, Claire showed a big smile and entered the hospital room. “Grandma, I’m back.”

“Claire, are you really back?”

Elizabeth saw her and pulled her into a hug, sobbing uncontrollably. “Oh, thank goodness you’re back… It’s good… that you’re back…”

“Yes, I’m here, Grandma.” Claire’s eyes welled up with tears as she held Elizabeth tightly, feeling the warmth she hadn’t felt in four years.

“Why are you dressed so thinly? And your dress, it’s so dirty! Harrison, how could you let your sister… Claire, wear something like this?”

Elizabeth began to scold Harrison upon seeing Claire’s thin and dirty dress but quickly corrected herself.

“No, it was me. I was in a hurry to see you, so I didn’t change.”

Claire tensed when she heard the word “sister” and quickly explained.

Chapter 2: The Prison 2/5

“I’ll take her to change,” Harrison said, clenching his fist and leading Claire away.

When she returned, dressed in bright red and lavishly attired, she was once again the haughty heiress of the Prescott family. But four years of torment had left her so frail that even the smallest size hung loose on her. Her long sleeves and coat wrapped tightly around her, making her exposed skinny legs look even more like two extremely thin bones.

The day she was fetched from prison, Elizabeth agreed to surgery, continually asking about her well-being. Only then did Claire realize that Elizabeth hadn’t had a good night’s sleep since her incarceration began. For years, she had pleaded for Claire’s release from prison. It wasn’t until her stomach cancer forced her hand that they agreed to bring Claire home.

“Claire, I believe you didn’t kill Anna. I know you were just spoiled by us, a bit arrogant, but you’re kind-hearted, not a murderer. You’ve suffered these past four years, my child.”

Elizabeth held her hand, tears streaming down her face as she looked at Claire’s gaunt figure, her heart aching.

Chapter 2: The Prison 3/5

“It’s okay. I’m fine…”

Claire tried to act nonchalant, but she couldn’t hold back her tears as she buried her head in Elizabeth’s arms and cried.

Chapter 2: The Prison 4/5

That night, she wanted to stay by Elizabeth’s side, but Elizabeth insisted she go home.

“You’ve just gotten out. These past four years must have been hard. Listen. Go home and rest well today, and come back tomorrow.”

Not wanting to worry Elizabeth, Claire nodded and headed home. Once outside the hospital, she realized she had no money, and with Harrison gone, she had no choice but to walk. Prescott Manor was far out in the suburbs, and it took her five hours to walk there. The thin clothes she wore were no match for the cold. Halfway there, it started to snow, and by the time she reached the villa, her limbs had numbed. So much so that when Frederick’s Cayenne rolled up, she didn’t even have the strength to move out of the way.

Frederick’s eyes darkened when he saw her. He got out of the car and stormed over. “Claire, what trick are you trying to play now…”

But he stopped mid-sentence as Claire collapsed to her knees with a thud.

Chapter 2: The Prison 5/5

“Don’t hit me. Please…”

Claire started to plead and then suddenly remembered she was no longer in prison. Frederick’s heart tightened, his hand frozen in mid-air as he stared at Claire kneeling before him, unable to respond.

“Frederick, what’s wrong?”

Caroline Beaumont, sitting in the car, saw the scene unfold. Her hands clenched tightly as she opened the door, her expression perfectly masked. Claire froze at the sound of that familiar voice.