Return With the Billionaire Baby Daddy-Chapter 169: Freedom

It’s 8 PM.

Karina looked so weak, and pale, and kept lying on her side, as if she didn’t have the strength to stand or sit. The woman was daydreaming, her gaze empty, even ignoring the other prisoners who tried to chat with her. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

"Why hasn’t Tristan returned with help? Did he not succeed?" she wondered in despair. "Will I end up here?" The question briefly escaped her lips.

"Of course, you won’t end up here," responded one of the prisoners sitting near her head. "You will be free soon... I’m sure your husband will come to free you," she continued, glancing at Karina.

Karina smiled faintly.

"I’m not sure he’ll free me soon... Or maybe he’s given up because he knows my mistake is unforgivable, too difficult to forgive," she said pessimistically. "Maybe he’s tired, maybe he’s disgusted, maybe he’s ashamed to have a wicked wife like me..."

"You can think whatever you like, but I’m sure he’ll come back soon to save you."

"But maybe it’s true that your husband is too lazy to save you," another prisoner chimed in sarcastically, causing Karina to fall silent in fear and guilt. "Maybe your husband is disgusted with you... maybe he’s tired and thinking of trying to live with a better girl, especially if he’s handsome, of course, he’ll take this opportunity to be free from you!"

"Hey, can you shut up?" Another prisoner snapped.

She just stayed silent, turning her face away.

"She needs support!"

"Who cares, I’m just telling the reality!"

"The reality is her husband loves her, the proof is she’s pregnant now!" That prisoner pointed at Karina’s belly.

The other prisoner just chuckled. "Pregnancy is not always because of love... You’re really stupid... You don’t want to accept reality just because you feel sorry for her..."

"Karina..."

Their attention immediately turned to the police officer calling Karina.

Karina quickly sat up, seeing the female officer who immediately unlocked the cell, making her heart race, hoping Tristan had come to save her.

"I knew you would be free," said another prisoner, patting her shoulder.

Karina smiled.

"Come on, I’ll help you stand." The prisoner stood and extended his hand to Karina.

Karina stood up with the help of that prisoner, then hugged him for a farewell, and quickly left the cell with the officer. She walked with her body trembling, her legs feeling weak but kept trying to stay strong until she arrived at the guardroom and found Valerie and Hannah rising from their chairs as soon as they saw her presence.

"Valerie," she whispered nervously, stunned, between fear and shame, not daring to look at them.

"Oh God, Karina..." Valerie immediately approached and hugged Karina.

Karina remained silent, feeling embarrassed and guilty, causing extreme awkwardness, and leaving her unsure of what to do.

"You shouldn’t be here," said Valerie as she released her hug, looking at Karina with pity. "But don’t worry Hannah and I managed to convince the police to release you," she continued, smiling, then glancing at Hannah.

Karina swallowed, glancing at Hannah who smiled at her, but it felt like a slap, reminding her that this woman had lost her baby because of her actions, and now she was freeing her.

"Now you don’t need to worry anymore, I ensure that Samuel or anyone else won’t imprison you for this matter," said Hannah awkwardly.

"Hannah is right, you will be completely free," replied Valerie, looking back at Karina.

Karina took a deep breath, feeling touched, and immediately hugged Valerie.

"You shouldn’t have done this for me!" she cried.

"I had to," replied Valerie calmly. "If everything can be resolved peacefully, then no one needs to be punished," she continued.

Karina released her hug, looking at Valerie, feeling very angry at herself.

"I’m so stupid, I shouldn’t have hurt such a good woman like you... I should have realized that Damian indeed deserves you... You have a golden heart!"

Valerie just smiled.

"I swear, I won’t bother you again, I promise!" Karina assured while holding Valerie’s hands with hers.

"I trust you... I know you don’t want to feel imprisoned again," Valerie replied.

"Yes... No matter how smart I am in hiding my crimes... I can’t keep hiding, I won’t be safe..." Karina nodded, admitting her guilt again. "I’m so evil... Sometimes I feel I don’t deserve freedom but..."

"You deserve it!" Valerie reaffirmed. "What happened was also my fault, Damian’s fault... We are victims, but we are also perpetrators... Now, what is more appropriate is for us to make peace, and become friends. Isn’t that right, Hannah?" She reassured and turned to ask Hannah.

Hannah nodded, smiling.

Karina immediately hugged her, apologizing even though the guilt of making her lose her baby still lingered in her heart.

...

Valerie escorted Karina back to her apartment, accompanied by Hans, but they didn’t find Tristan there, nor could they reach him.

"I’ll rest," said Karina, looking at Valerie who repeatedly tried to contact Damian or Tristan but received no response.

Valerie sighed, looking at Karina with concern. "Maybe your husband is with my husband doing something to try to save you... They don’t know you’re already free. Too bad I can’t contact them," she said worriedly.

"Karina ...!"

Suddenly their attention was drawn to Tristan who rushed in, immediately approaching and hugging Karina.

"Oh, baby!" Tristan hugged Karina tightly. "Forgive me... I’m late in freeing you. You must have had a hard time there..."

He released his hug, looking at Karina anxiously, touching her cheek, noticing her pale lips and overall shabby appearance even though she had only been in jail for a day.

"It’s okay, I’m fine. They saved me in time," said Karina, glancing at Hannah and Valerie, who were each embraced by their partners, Hans and Damian.

Tristan sighed in relief, hugging Karina from the side while looking at them.

"Thank you for everything... I don’t know what would have happened to my wife without you..." He couldn’t finish his sentence, suddenly nervous, filled with guilt and shame.

"Everything that happens always has a reason... A lesson for us," said Damian calmly. "I’m not good either; I’ve made many mistakes with you and Karina... Even with my wife... Everyone has flaws and strengths... It’s very good for us to resolve problems peacefully without having to punish or hurt each other. I like this atmosphere now."

Tristan nodded.

"Maybe we can have dinner together to celebrate all this," Valerie said enthusiastically, seeing them look puzzled by her idea. "I can cook with Hannah," she continued, glancing at Hannah.

"But you need to rest," replied Karina, still feeling awkward.

"It’s okay... I’ve rested enough today..." Valerie reassured.

"Alright, but I only have a little food... I didn’t shop much because I don’t like cooking."

"That’s not a problem, simple food in a happy atmosphere will still taste delicious!" said Valerie, immediately inviting Hannah to the kitchen, Karina returned to the room to freshen up, accompanied by Tristan, while Damian and Hans waited on the living room sofa.