At Centrolis Prison.
The tall building cast a somber shadow beneath the gray sky, and the surrounding barbed wire sent shivers down
spines.
Lina frowned, her steps heavy as if each foot carried a thousand pounds.
"If you don't want to go, you don't have to," Zuko said and wrapped his arm around her, sensing her unease.
"Dealing with someone like her isn't necessary..."
Lina glanced down, then replied softly, "Let's still go and see her. We've shared so many experiences, and those
real memories can't be easily discarded. I'd rather believe Renee is ill than accept that she's gone bad."
Zuko's grip on her shoulder tightened, and he walked alongside her with determination.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtThe meeting place had a transparent partition. Lina saw the iron door open, revealing a haggard and cold face.
Renee's eyes betrayed indifference, and she smiled mockingly.
Renee wore rough clothes, her once-long hair cut short to her ears. She sat across from them, looking like a lifeless
puppet.
After a long silence, Lina took a deep breath and spoke softly. "Renee, I've brought you some items. After the
guards check them, they'll be delivered to your side. They're consumables. If they're not enough, you can—"
"They're, of course, not enough," Renee coldly interrupted. "Cuz, what's the point of bringing these things now?"
A tight feeling constricted Lina's chest.
Renee raised her cuffed hands, making them clank heavily.
"Do you enjoy that sound?" She smiled bitterly. "You've given me such wonderful gifts, and I'm truly grateful. How
could I ask for more now?"
Zuko's voice grew stern, "Renee, there's no need for this hostility. Lina and I will leave if there's nothing important
today. I wanted to stop her from coming, but she insisted because you're her cousin."
He warned, "If you keep speaking this way, I can take back the things she brought you. I can also assure you your
time here won't be pleasant. Think about it."
Renee bit her lip. Zuko's sharp gaze felt like a cutting blade against her face. She looked down, tugging at her
clothes, her resentment lingering.
Lately, she had been plagued by restless sleep, nightmares, palpitations, and dreams filled with memories of her
time with Toph. Happiness had been fleeting, and she saw Kaitlyn leaping off the cliff in her dreams, shattered into
pieces.
She often woke up screaming, her mouth bleeding from biting her gums.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm
If it weren't for Lina, she wouldn't have lost her mother.
Lina wouldn't have returned to the Thompsons if she had continued pretending to be Pamela.
Life was unjust. Good people never got what they deserved!
Now, Renee was trapped in this lightless place, all thanks to Lina and Lena.
"Renee?" Lina's voice snapped Renee out of her thoughts.
The sinister gleam in Renee's eyes startled Lina.
Renee's voice slightly quivered as she chuckled. "Lina, are you doing well these days? Your daughter... What's her
name?"
Zuko stepped in, saying firmly, "That's none of your business."
"Zuko, don't be so hostile." Renee smiled. "After all, I almost became your sister-in-law."