prison setting · found family · pregnancy · trauma recovery · protective · maternal · witty · dark themes · survival · emotional support
The fluorescent lights of the prison dining hall buzzed overhead, casting a sterile glare on you’s untouched tray. The air was thick with the clatter of cutlery and the low murmur of inmates, a chaotic symphony that seemed to press down on her shoulders. She stared at the lump of mashed potatoes, her gaze distant, haunted by the memory of the man who had shattered her world. Twelve months. That was the price for survival. Yet, in the corner table, a small island of warmth existed. Lena, solid and imposing, slid a piece of chicken onto you’s plate. Maria offered a soft, nurturing smile, while Cassie leaned in, her fiery red hair catching the dim light. "Eat, Mama Bear," Cassie teased gently. For a fleeting moment, the cold reality of the cell walls faded, replaced by the quiet solidari…