Bright inside

At Tony's house, laughter filled the air as he played with the kids. When Anne and Selina walked in, the children ran to embrace Anne.

"Mommy!" they exclaimed in unison.

"I have a surprise, kids," Anne said, smiling.

"Is this our Aunt Selina?" one of the kids asked.

"Exactly!" Anne confirmed.

The children rushed over to Selina, wrapping their arms around her. "Aww, I'm flattered. How are you doing?" she asked with a smile.

"We're fine!" they chorused.

"Alright, kids, go play," Anne instructed, and the children hurried back to their games.

Tony approached them, grinning. "Hi, I'm Tony."

"My fan! I'm Selina," she replied playfully.

"Yeah, I've heard a lot about you," he said.

"Good things, I hope?" Selina raised an eyebrow.

"Well, sure! I'm so glad to meet you," Tony said enthusiastically.

"The pleasure is mine. Anne, I really need to rush somewhere. I'll definitely catch up later," Selina said, glancing at Anne.

"Alright, take care," Anne replied.

"Bye, Tony! Take care of my friend," Selina called as she made her way to the door.

"Will do!" Tony replied.

"Bye, Aunt Selina!" the kids chimed as she waved goodbye.

Once outside, Selina walked to a large house and knocked on the door. A man opened it, looking puzzled.

"Hi, I am Selina," she introduced herself.

"I don't know you," he replied warily.

"I'm Lucy's friend—your wife," Selina explained.

"She sent you?" the man asked, his tone skeptical.

"No," Selina said, shaking her head.

"How do you know her?" he probed.

"I was in jail too," Selina admitted.

"That means you're a criminal," he stated bluntly.

"I was a criminal. Now, I'm a changed person. In fact, I'm training to become a cop," she said firmly.

"Good for you," he responded, softening slightly.

"I really need to speak to you. Lucy didn't commit a crime on purpose; it was an accident," Selina insisted.

"Really? We saw her. I saw everything. Our kids saw everything. She exposed them to crime at a young age," he replied, his voice rising.

"It wasn't her fault," Selina maintained.

"How do you know that?" he challenged.

"Because I've gone through more than that. I didn't just commit a crime; people made me do it. I wasn't always like this—I was a pure, innocent soul. It's hard to go back to being sweet, but I'm ready to give it a shot. That's what Lucy did; she had a chance to run, but she didn't. She knew the outcome of what she did, which is why she surrendered."

"Come in," the man finally said, stepping aside.

"Thank you," Selina replied as she walked into the house. He closed the door behind her and gestured for her to sit, offering her a drink.

"I just want to see the kids and pass a message to them," Selina said earnestly. "I'm begging you, sir. Don't be afraid of me."

The man nodded and went to fetch the children. Moments later, he returned with a boy and a girl. Selina bent down to their level.

"Hi, kids! Your mom sends her greetings. She misses you both and promises to love you no matter where she is," she said warmly.

"We miss her too," the kids replied.

"She will be back soon, I promise," Selina reassured them.

"Thank you," they said in unison.

Selina stood up and turned to the man. "I can see you haven't moved on yet. You are indeed a good man. Lucy said if you did, she wouldn't blame you. I will get her out of there very soon."

"Thank you for your help. Thank you for your kindness," he said gratefully.

"You're welcome," Selina replied, hugging the children before nodding at the man and making her way out.

As Selina focused on supporting Lucy and her other friends in jail, she became serious about her training to become a cop.

At the police station, Selina walked in, scanning the room for Roberts. When he spotted her, he smiled.

"Miss Richard, it is indeed a miracle," he said with a hint of sarcasm.

"I wonder who could break you. I am Officer Selina," she replied defiantly.

"No, no, it doesn't work like that. You are Intern Selina," he corrected her.

"Whatever. I want to ask for a favor," she said, crossing her arms.

"You, ask for a favor? Wow," Roberts replied, surprised.

"I hope you know I can kick and smack," she warned.

"Sure," he said, rolling his eyes.

"It's about my friends," she pressed.

"I told you already, Miss Richard. It's a lost cause," he said firmly.

"You're a police officer; you can do whatever you like," Selina argued.

"I work under someone. I can get fired," Roberts replied.

"And they said I am the heartless one," Selina shot back.

"Look, I wish I could help you, but I can't," he insisted.

"Or you don't want to. If I were a cop already, I wouldn't ask for permission before doing the right thing. Maybe that's the difference between us," she challenged.

"There's a big difference between us," Roberts said, trying to maintain his composure.

"Really? Do you still consider me a criminal?" she pressed.

"I didn't mean—"

"I don't care about what others think. I only care about what I think about myself. Do you know what I think about myself? I am admired, I am limitless, I am brave, and I take the credit. Go to hell, Roberts," she snapped before storming out, leaving him in regret.

Later, at Frances's house, Selina entered looking moody. Frances was sitting at the table, eating and watching TV.

"Hey, honey, why the long face?" Frances asked, looking up.

"It's nothing, Mom," Selina replied dismissively.

"No, I won't accept that. What's wrong?" Frances pressed.

"I got into a fight with Roberts. He refused to help my friends," Selina confessed.

"How can you get into a fight with your boss?" Frances asked, raising an eyebrow.

"He's not my boss; he's a total jerk," Selina shot back.

"Language, young lady," Frances warned.

"I'm sorry, Mom, I'm just pissed off," Selina admitted.

"Are you sure you're doing the right thing? I mean, do you trust them?" Frances asked gently.

"I lived with them for years; I know them," Selina said confidently.

"Before the fight?" Frances probed.

"Yeah. They admired my courage because no one ever dared to stand up to Lucy. They all feared her, except me—I was the only one who ever defeated her in a fight," Selina explained.

"Do you want to tell me what really happened? How?" Frances urged, her tone serious.

"Mom, I swear it was all Dad. I hated the way he looked down on me and cheated on you. I hated how he underestimated me. He never gave me a tiny bit of his love. I was so disgusted with myself for coming into this world, but Anne snapped me out of it. He dared me to change, to rewrite my story, to change the handwriting as well. He called me weak. I was weak, Mother. I was timid; I was everything but strong."

"Selina…" Frances started, her heart aching for her daughter.

"It's true, Mother. The only thing stopping someone from doing anything is themselves. I gave it a shot. I planned everything, how to get rid of Laura. I thought of injecting her, but they might save her. I didn't want any of them to survive, so I decided to use a knife."

"Oh God," Frances gasped, covering her mouth in shock.

"I got everything myself. The maid was just a maid, that's all. I got the weapons, chemicals, and poison myself. I am truly sorry, Mom," Selina said, tears in her eyes.

"You've paid for your crime, honey, and you're doing the right thing now. Becoming a cop to help people, especially those who are bullied. I am really proud of you," Frances reassured her.

"Not everyone sees this change, but I'm okay with it," Selina replied.

"Yeah, don't rate yourself based on what people think. You are more than you think," Frances said warmly.

"Thanks, Mom. I wish I had told you everything back then; this wouldn't have happened," Selina said, her voice heavy with regret.

"Everything happens for a reason. Maybe if you had told me, you wouldn't be a cop now," Frances replied gently. "But I blame myself for not being there for you."

"You shouldn't. You are the best mom in the whole world," Selina reassured her, a smile breaking through her somber expression.

Frances chuckled, a playful grin on her face. "I am blushing."

As they continued to talk and catch up, laughter filled the room, and the warmth of their bond enveloped them, bringing joy to their day.