I buried my face in my hands, my shoulders shaking with despair.

Word of Vivian's confrontation with me got to Ethan in no time. Without saying a word, he barged into Mars Group and ripped into Vivian for her audacity before everyone.

"I'd tear you apart right here if it weren't for Murphy!" he shouted. "Who do you think you are, trying to steal me away from Evelyn?"

Vivian, publicly humiliated for the first time, turned red with rage and embarrassment.

Ethan grabbed her by the collar. "I'm warning you. If you make another move against Evelyn, you'll regret it!"

Then he shoved Vivian to the floor and walked away without sparing her a second glance.

...

A few days later, the whole business world was blindsided by a bombshell-"Evelyn Studio Under Investigation for Tax Evasion: Evelyn Wiley Arrested!"

The news spread like wildfire. People couldn't believe it, and they began to whisper to each other. How could the fashion queen who once ruled the industry end up behind bars? It felt like a nightmare.

I could hardly accept it myself. Sitting in a cold interrogation room, I stared hopelessly at the piles of papers before me. Every page was filled with lies-fake accounts, forged contracts-everything planted to frame me. "I never did any of this! It's all a setup!" I shouted, tears streaming down my face.

But the judge dismissed my words and coldly said, "The evidence is clear. What's there to argue?"

The gavel crashed down. I was cuffed and dragged off to jail, and it felt like my whole world was crumbling.

Vivian had set me up! But what could I do against all that damning evidence?

I was thrown into a women's prison, surrounded by ruthless inmates and cold bars that seemed to bite like frost.

Days passed with no sign of hope, and the only thing keeping me going was the thought of Ethan's visit.

"Darling, I'm sorry...I couldn't protect you..." Ethan said, touching my face through the metal bars. He was always strong but couldn't hold back

his tears this time.

I shook my head, choking back my sobs. "No, honey. It's my fault... I've dragged you into this..."

"Don't say that." His eyes were red, but his voice was firm with resolve. "I'll never give up on you, no matter what happens. I'll find a way to get you out."

I managed a smile through my tears and held tightly onto his hand. "I believe you. I'll wait for you no matter how long it takes."

But fate had other plans. A month

later, our last hope was crushed. My request for a retrial was shot down. No one knew what strings Vivian had pulled, but the judge showed no mercy.

"Ms. Evelyn Wiley, you're found guilty. The original sentence stands-ten years in prison."

The gavel came down, and I crumpled to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably.

Ten years... Ten years of my life, wasted. Was I really going to be stuck behind these cold walls during the best years of my life?

Still, I gritted my teeth and held on because something heavier was weighing on my heart-my son, Zachary.noveldrama

He was only five, at that age when a child needed his mother more than ever. And now, he'd have to grow up without me for a decade.

The thought sliced through me. I wanted so badly to break free and hold him close, but I was powerless. All I could do was ache behind these bars.

A few days later, Ethan brought Zachary to see me. My little boy had gotten so thin, his face pale and missing its usual light.

The second he saw me, he started crying uncontrollably behind the glass. "Mommy... I miss you so much..."