"Ahhh, it hurts so much. How long have I been in here? Vero must be crying, looking for me?" Amara shed tears as she clutched her chest, which throbbed painfully.
Her breast milk had built up until her chest ached badly. Her thoughts immediately went to Vero at home. Was her baby healthy? Was Richard giving him enough attention? Amara's mind remained fixed on one place only.
She noticed a female officer passing by and quickly approached the iron bars to speak.
"Has my family not come again?" Amara asked.
"Mrs. Amara Gabrielle?"
Amara nodded.
"No family members have come to visit you yet."
Amara fell silent. She thought perhaps Richard was simply very busy. The man worked at the office and also handled matters at home. Of course, he would not have much time.
"May I borrow a phone? I want to contact my family. I just gave birth, and my baby is still breastfeeding. Please give me just a moment to talk to them," Amara pleaded to the female officer.
The officer hesitated, her expression clearly reluctant. This was Amara's life in prison.
She had to deal with unfriendly people, not only the prison officers but also her fellow inmates.
Quiet, lonely, and isolated, Amara felt as though she would rot away in this place with nothing but despair.
She was finally allowed to make a phone call. Richard was the first person she contacted.
---
When visiting hours arrived, Richard finally came. He brought food that had gone through strict inspection before it was handed to Amara.
Richard did not come alone. He was accompanied by Mr. Charlie, Amara's father-in-law. The sixty-year-old man whom Amara had long regarded as her own father.
"You look pale, darling," Richard said gently, showing concern for Amara.
"I think about Vero every second. Is he healthy? Is the nanny treating him harshly? Please pay attention to those small details, Richard. I'm worried he might get a rough nanny."
"That won't happen, Amara. There are many people at home. I'll receive reports if anything like that happens."
Richard's answer was slightly unsatisfying. Could a man really remain calm leaving a baby at home with only a nanny?
"Make sure you keep giving Vero your attention, Richard. I'm not at home. He'll lack a mother's affection. He must not lose his father's love as well."
"Yes, darling. Vero's affection won't be reduced even a little," Richard kept reassuring her.
Amara fell silent. She wanted to trust her husband. To trust the relationship they had built over the years. Their marriage had lasted four years, and this year was supposed to be the most anticipated one since they were finally welcoming a baby into their home.
"Since you went through the trial and were named a suspect, do you know that almost all our partners have started withdrawing their shares?" Charlie asked.
"Daddy, don't talk about that now," Richard stopped his father from continuing.
"We need to address this as soon as possible, Richard. Lately, you've been busy persuading them to maintain their cooperation. They were used to Amara's work quality, but now they're starting to doubt our company."
Richard fell silent, and Amara knew her case would have a massive impact on her business. Amara was the owner of the company she had built herself. Initially, it was an inheritance from her late parents. But under Amara's perseverance, the business had grown rapidly over the past few years.
However, along the way, Amara often clashed with her uncle. For reasons unknown, her uncle suddenly ended up murdered, and Amara found herself in prison.
"What are you trying to say, Daddy?" Amara asked.
The elderly man let out a long sigh before speaking. "Your case has spread everywhere in the news. So what you must do now is stay silent and not release any statements."
"There's something I want to do," Amara said, slightly disagreeing.
"About what? About who killed your uncle?"
"I'm in prison now, Daddy. Whoever killed my uncle and framed me like this has destroyed everything I had. I almost lost everything in an instant. You're the only people I trust," Amara said as she looked at her husband and father-in-law.
She trusted no one else but them, because she had no one left.
"Please find the real murderer, Richard. I'm begging you. Seven years is too long. I can't be imprisoned for something I never did. Pay any amount to anyone who can prove it," Amara pleaded.
Richard nodded slowly. "Calm down. I will definitely search for the truth. For now, Daddy is right. You need to stay quiet and not make any statements. Do you understand? Let me handle the rest."
His words were slightly comforting, but at the same time, they meant Amara had to surrender to her situation. She was powerless, unaware of what was happening outside, and filled with fear.
Seven years was a very long time.
"You believe I'm not the murderer, right?" Amara asked once more, seeking reassurance.
"The truth will come out, even if it takes time. Even while you're here, I'll always be by your side, Amara. My love for you won't fade," Richard replied.
Amara fell silent. What Richard said seemed to mean, even if you're innocent, you're still here. I still love you.
No, that was not what Amara wanted to hear. She wanted certainty that Richard would investigate the case. That he would seek the truth and find the real murderer.
Then why did Richard say it like that?
When visiting hours ended, Amara was escorted back to her cell. The iron bars locked again with a resounding clang.
"Vero, Mommy will come home to you soon."
Amara clutched her aching chest, heavy with milk, and looked back at the iron-barred door. Hoping someone would call her name again and bring good news.
But there was none.
Amara was alone, in pain, and tortured by the silence.
"Richard and Daddy always say the truth will come, but they never say they'll bring me home. They never reassure me that I will return."
Amara hugged her knees on the cold floor. For now, she was still a faithful wife. Yes, faithful to her belief in Richard, faithful in waiting for the truth, and enduring everything for the people she loved.