flash
The flash drive felt like a slab of cold dry ice in my pocket as I drove home through the torrential rain. My hands weren't shaking. My heart wasn't pounding. The suffocating grief of watching my only son brutalize the woman who had sacrificed her entire life for him had burned away, leaving behind a laser-focused, absolute clarity. / Chapter 17 / 20

Chapter 17 - THE SHATTERED MIRRORBack in the women's prison, Cassandra stood in front of the cracked mirror in the communal bathroom during evening lockup.

She stared at her reflection. The designer clothes, the expensive jewelry, the high-society status—all of it was gone. Stripped away by her own hubris and malice.

Another inmate walked past, bumping her shoulder roughly. "Move out of the way, Sterling. Some of us actually want to wash our face before lights out."

Cassandra didn't fight back. She didn't snap. She just lowered her head, stepped aside, and walked slowly back to her cell.

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She picked up a small, dog-eared paperback book from her narrow bunk—the only item she was allowed to keep. Inside the cover, her mother had written a brief note before cutting off all communication six months ago: 'You chose a crown of gold made of stolen glass, Cassandra. Now you must walk barefoot over the shards.'

Cassandra closed the book, pulled scratchy wool blankets over her shoulders, and stared at the dark, cold ceiling, realizing that her nightmare was only halfway over.

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