The Last Visit to Her Mother

The evening of the next day was cold, the sky painted in dark hues as Olivia stepped out of the black car and walked toward the heavily guarded prison facility. Her heels clicked against the pavement, echoing ominously in the quiet air.

She had debated whether or not to come after reading her mother's letter that morning. A part of her wanted to ignore it—to leave her mother to rot in her misery without the satisfaction of a final conversation. But another part, the one that still craved answers, had driven her here.

Now, standing in the dimly lit visitors' room, Olivia sat stiffly on one side of the metal table, waiting.

A minute later, the steel door creaked open, and two wardens escorted her mother inside.

Olivia's expression didn't change as she took in the sight of her mother.