Nothing Will Change.

"You have just twenty minutes to spend with the criminal. So make the best use of your time together," the warden advised.

The visitor's room door creaked open, and Linda's eyes scanned the room until they landed on her mother, seated at the worn metal table.

As her mother's weary eyes met hers, different emotions flickered across Linda's face.

"Mom," Linda called out, her voice barely above a whisper.

Mrs Beazell managed a faint smile, the lines etched on her face telling tales of the hardship of the past weeks.

"My darling, it's good to see you." Her words held a tinge of melancholy.

The sterile room felt suffocating, the fluorescent lights casting an artificial glow on the mother and daughter.

Taking in her mother's haggard look and dim eyes, Linda's heart constricted and she couldn't stop the tears that rolled down her eyes. "How have you been coping here, mom?"