Chapter 76
Sarah was shocked. "What? Alexander's mother reached out to you?" she asked, standing up abruptly from the couch to face Lilly. Lilly had just explained why she had come as soon as she had settled into her apartment. The apartment wasn't spacious enough for all of them, so Michael and Jacob had booked a hotel nearby, while Lilly stayed with Sarah.
"Yes," Lilly confirmed.
"So, it's true? She's really in prison?"
"Yes, and from what I was told, she's already served her sentence, but Alexander is still keeping her there."
"Don't you think he has his reasons for doing that?"
"I've considered that, but Alexander isn't telling me anything. This might be my only chance to talk to his mother."
"But what if this is all a lie? You didn't just believe everything that woman told you, did you? She could be in prison for a good reason, and this could all be a trap."
"You think I didn't consider that? Of course, I came prepared."
Sarah sat back down, her curiosity piqued. "True, you're not one to act without a backup plan. So, what's the plan?"
"I got detailed information from Jayla about how to enter the prison disguised as a guard and who to approach to arrange a private meeting with Alexander’s mother. If it turns out to be a trap, that’s where you come in. You’re a secret agent with the national police here in G city, so you have connections."
"What kind of help will you need?"
"I've got a Plan B and a Plan C. Plan B is in case Alexander's mother tries to trap me into getting Alexander to release her. I’ll need people inside the prison who can assist me if things go wrong."
"Is Plan B really necessary?"
"Yes, because Alexander will almost certainly find out that I visited his mother. The plan is to leave G city and return to Aurora City before he arrives. If it turns out that his mother is genuine, then Plan B won’t be needed, and we’ll move on to Plan C—avoiding my husband's anger."
Sarah couldn’t help but smile. "This is going to be quite the adventure."
---
Lilly pulled her disguise tighter as she walked into the prison among the other female guards. She hoped she was making the right decision by coming here to see Angela.
Almost immediately, a senior guard noticed her. Jayla had told her there would be someone inside to help her meet Angela in private, and the woman staring at her matched the description perfectly.
After traveling all the way to G city and witnessing the extent of Alexander’s influence here, Lilly had prepared herself for the worst. She knew that by the time she finished speaking to Angela and left the prison, Alexander would likely be in the city. He had people watching his mother around the clock, and she suspected he had people monitoring her from the moment she stepped off the plane.
Lilly discreetly made the hand signal Jayla had taught her, indicating that she was the person the guards were expecting. The guard gestured for her to follow.
Lilly trailed behind the guard, who led her to a secluded area of the prison. They stopped in front of a door.
"In here, it's an old storage room. You can meet with her inside," the guard said.
"Thank you," Lilly replied, turning the doorknob and pushing the door open.
Angela was standing by the window when she heard the door. She turned and saw Lilly, her face breaking into a smile. Without warning, she rushed over and enveloped Lilly in a tight hug.
Lilly was taken aback by the unexpected embrace, but Angela held on, not just hugging her but holding her tightly.
When she finally let go, Angela looked at Lilly with a warm smile. "I'm so grateful you came. Thank you, Lilly."
Lilly nodded, still processing the warmth of the older woman's welcome.
"You’re even more beautiful in person. The photos in the magazines and newspapers don’t do you justice," Angela said with genuine affection.
"You look so much like Alexander, and you’re younger-looking than I expected," Lilly observed, noting the resemblance between mother and son, though Alexander had a more masculine appearance, possibly due to his father's influence.
Angela smiled. "I’m glad he only inherited my looks," she said, gesturing for Lilly to sit across from her.
Lilly took in the room’s dusty surroundings, noticing that only the area around the table and chairs had been cleaned.
"Don’t mind the dust; this is an old storage room. I only had time to clean this part," Angela explained.
Lilly nodded and sat down.
"How is my granddaughter? I wish I could see her," Angela said softly.
"She’s doing well."
"I’m sure she doesn’t know anything about me."
"She doesn’t. In fact, I don’t know much about you either. All I have are rumors. So, tell me your side of the story. How did you end up in prison? Why is Alexander keeping you here? And why did you want to meet?"
"Those are a lot of questions," Angela remarked.
"Take them one at a time," Lilly said, leaning back in her chair.
"After my husband died because of my infidelity, I planned to leave the country a year later. But at the airport security check, I was caught with drugs in my bag. I thought I could get away with it since the drugs were hidden in my shoes’ heels, as the people who gave them to me assured me. But someone tipped off the authorities, and that’s how I ended up with a 15-year prison sentence."
Lilly didn’t react to Angela’s confession but moved on to her next question. "Why does Alexander want you to stay here?"
Angela seemed surprised that Lilly didn’t judge her for her actions. "Can I answer the third question before the second?"
"Why?"
"It’s better that way."
"Go ahead."
"I asked you here because I needed to talk to someone. I’ve been here for 18 years without any contact with my family or anyone from the outside. You’re Alexander’s wife, the woman he loves most, and he has refused to see me. I haven’t laid eyes on my son since the day his father died," Angela’s voice cracked, and tears welled up in her eyes.
Lilly could feel the pain in her words.
"The only connection I have to the outside world is the magazines and newspapers that feature him. That’s how I know he’s grown into a handsome man who commands the business world. I never got the chance to beg for forgiveness. I wanted to meet with you, my daughter-in-law, to ask a favor."
"What favor?"
"I’ve made mistakes my whole life. In here, I’ve learned from those mistakes. I was a terrible wife and mother. I regret causing my husband’s death, who loved me dearly and wanted nothing more than for me to change. I regret not considering how deeply my actions affected Alexander. I regret trying to flee the country with drugs instead of staying to make amends. I regret everything that led me to this prison. Every day, I wish I could turn back time and undo what I did," she said, her voice trembling as she wept.
Lilly listened, moved by her words.
"I just want one thing—to see my son. Even if he decides to keep me here, I just want to see him and ask for his forgiveness," Angela pleaded, tears streaming down her face.
Lilly didn’t realize she was crying too. She leaned in and held Angela’s hand. "He’s never told me anything about you. Even mentioning your name makes him angry. But I’ll see what I can do."
"Thank you," Angela whispered gratefully, tears still falling.
"You still haven’t told me why Alexander wants you to stay here," Lilly reminded her.
Angela withdrew her hands, looking down at her feet. "Because I’m a murderer. I killed my own child."
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