One Year Later

Sienna’s POV

I was led into the room where my parole hearing would take place, ignoring the guard who shoved me a bit to keep me moving. I didn't care about all that. All I cared about was that today was the day I would finally get to breathe air that wasn't polluted with the lack of freedom and the stench of the other inmates.

I wasn't expecting to see a familiar face at the hearing, but when I did, I smiled a bit. I recognized the man as Denzel's friend that had been around a few times before I was sent to prison. Denzel just have sent him here to make sure things went smoothly.

I would really be going home.

My heart ached at the thought of seeing Denzel again. It had been a long while since I'd seen him. He didn't visit me a lot, but I didn't blame him. Not when he said the reason he stayed away was because he couldn't bear to see me in my orange prison attire.

I could hardly recognize myself most times, even though a long time had passed since I got locked up for something I didn't do.

"Name and inmate number?" An officer asked.

I replied quietly as I took a seat and the hearing begun.

The whole setup reminded me of my first court hearing. My hands clenched into fists as I remembered the intense helplessness I felt. Everything had seemed so wrong, and I hadn't even been given a chance to speak my truth.

It was obvious to me that the evidence had been toyed with, and I was being used as a scapegoat. I just couldn't understand why, and I didn't know by whom. Denzel had done everything he could, but it was all for nothing. In the end, I was cuffed and hauled away to prison.

What I hadn't expected even more than being thrown in prison, was that I would turn out pregnant.

I found out just a month after being incarcerated. The news had made me nauseous with fear and anxiety. A baby? In prison? How would I manage that?

When I broke the news to Denzel, the look on his face was unreadable, and he didn't say anything about what would happen to our baby, except that we would figure it out after my parole hearing.

And here we were.

In more ways than one, my future and my baby's Future depended on what happened today. If all went well, I would be reunited with Denzel.

If all didn't... My baby would be taken away from me.

And I wasn't stupid enough to believe Denzel's mother would take him. She hates my guts. She wouldn't what any child birthed by me.

I shut my eyes tightly and prayed to any gods who would listen. It had to go well. Too much was at stake.

"Miss Sierra?" The judge said.

I opened my eyes. "Yes, your honour?"

"You've served a little over a year for vehicular manslaughter. Can you tell me why you believe you're ready for parole?"

I took a deep breath, prepared to spill out the lines I've been practicing all year.

"Your honour, although I'm innocent of those charges, I have worked hard to rehabilitate myself nonetheless. I have..."

"Innocent, Miss Sienna?" The judge interrupted.

"Yes, your honour," I replied.

"The evidence against you says otherwise, Miss Sienna," the judge replied. "If you still believe you are innocent, I might have to order a re-evaluation of your psychological and mental health."

"I'm not in denial, Your Honour," I replied. "I..."

"The issue of your guilt or innocence isn't up for debate in this hearing," the judge interrupted.

I nodded, my shoulders drooping down. I could see it on his face. I knew how this would end already, but I was still holding up to the small hope that things would right themselves.

"Your Honor, I've taken classes on safe driving, and participated in counseling," I said. "I have a support system in place outside of prison, and I'm committed to rebuilding my life for me and my baby."

The judge stared at me. "And how do you think your release might impact the victim's family?"

Fuck the victims family, I fumed inwardly. This was another set up. The first court hearing has gone exactly this way.

"I know they will always carry the pain of their loss, Your Honour," I forced myself to say. "And I respect that. I'm not asking for forgiveness. I'm asking for a chance to prove I can be a productive member of society once again."

The other man sitting beside the judge suddenly whispered something on his ear. Denzel's friend has been quiet the whole time, and I tried to plead with him with my eyes.

The judge drew in a breath, and turned to me again.

"Miss Sienna, after reviewing your case and considering the evidence presented, the parole board has decided to deny your request for parole."

I paled, and stared at him, the blood rushing in my ears. Considering the evidence? What evidence? The one that had been faked?

Slowly, I stood. I could barely think. The judge was still speaking, but I wasn't listening to him. I couldn't. Not when all I could think about was how I only had a few more months, at most, with my baby. And I didn't even know if that would be granted to me.

"We'll review your case again in a year," he said. "In the meantime, you'll continue to work on your rehabilitation and..."

I walked out of the room, ignoring everything else. What was the point? Nothing mattered anymore.

I had foolishly put all my hopes on the idea that justice would be served, and I would be set free.

What a joke.

I knew without a doubt that there was someone behind this. I didn't care who, and in that moment, I vowed to get back at them when I got out of this place. And I would. One way or another.