Now, that love fell away with every strand.
The sun had barely risen when Hudson pulled up in his car.
His gaze swept over my cropped hair, and shock flickered across his face. "Thelma, your hair..."
He knew how much I treasured it. How much time and care I'd poured into it. How I used to wince over a single lost strand.
"It'll be easier to manage in there."
I looked up with an awkward smile, then turned to stare out the window.
The black Maybach sped down the highway and pulled up in front of the detention center.
"Thelma, it's only three years."
"I swear, the day you walk out, the kids and I will be right here waiting."
I didn't know what to say, so I said nothing at all.
Hudson didn't notice. He kept talking, laying out his plans for three years from now.
Three years. I'd already wasted ten on Hudson Farley.
Was I really going to waste three more?
I changed into the orange jumpsuit and walked through the prison gates.
A guard assigned me to a ten-person cell, impatience flashing in her eyes.
"Move it!"
"Keep your head down and behave yourself!"
She shoved me hard. I stumbled and hit the concrete floor.