The prison gates opened with a heavy metallic groan.
For a moment, no one moved.
The guards stood aside, watching silently as the massive iron doors slid apart. Dust floated in the morning sunlight like tiny ghosts escaping captivity.
Then she stepped out.
Mahira.
Ten years inside those walls had not broken her. If anything, they had sharpened her.
She paused at the threshold for exactly two seconds. Not to admire freedom. Not to breathe the outside air.
But to calculate.
Her eyes scanned the open road beyond the gate, calm and observant. A soft breeze lifted a few strands of her dark hair, but her expression remained completely unreadable.
Behind her, another prisoner walked out slowly.
Rani.
Unlike Mahira, Rani looked overwhelmed. Her eyes were wide, drinking in the outside world like someone who had been underwater for too long.
"Freedom," she whispered under her breath.
Mahira didn't react.
Ten years.
Ten years of silence.
Ten years of patience.
Ten years of preparing for something no one else knew about.
No one had come to receive them.
Not a family member.
Not a friend.
Not even a curious stranger.
Rani let out a small laugh.
"Looks like the world forgets people pretty quickly."
Mahira finally spoke, her voice calm and steady.
"Only the useless ones."
Rani turned toward her with a surprised expression.
Before she could respond, the sound of an approaching engine cut through the silence.
A sleek black car rolled toward the prison gate and stopped smoothly in front of them.
It was expensive. The kind of car that didn't belong anywhere near a prison.
The driver stepped out.
He was dressed in a sharp suit, polished shoes gleaming under the sun.
He walked straight toward Mahira.
Then he stopped.
And saluted.
"Welcome back, ma'am."
Rani's mouth slowly fell open.
Ten years in prison… and someone like this was waiting for her?
The man opened the back door respectfully.
Mahira walked forward without hesitation.
Rani watched, stunned.
Just moments ago she thought both of them were forgotten women walking into an uncertain world.
But clearly, Mahira's story was very different.
Rani turned away.
"Well… good luck," she muttered, preparing to walk down the empty road.
"Sit."
The word stopped her.
Mahira was already inside the car.
Rani looked back.
"Excuse me?"
"Get in."
Rani blinked.
"Why?"
Mahira's gaze met hers through the open door.
"Because you'll regret it if you don't."
The calmness in her voice made Rani pause.
Something about Mahira felt different.
Not dangerous.
Worse.
Controlled.
Rani shrugged and got into the car.
The door closed.
The vehicle began moving.
No one spoke.
The city slowly appeared in the distance as the car left the empty prison road behind.
Rani kept glancing sideways at Mahira.
Mahira stared out the window, expression unreadable.
Finally Rani couldn't hold her curiosity anymore.
"So… what are you?"
Mahira didn't look at her.
"Human."
Rani smirked.
"I mean… ten years in prison and someone shows up with a luxury car to pick you up. That's not normal."
Mahira remained silent.
Rani leaned back in her seat.
"Who are you really?"
Mahira answered without emotion.
"Someone who waited ten years."
Rani frowned.
"For what?"
Mahira turned her head slightly.
"For the right moment."
Something in her eyes made Rani stop asking questions.
The car left the city behind and began climbing a quiet road surrounded by tall trees.
Eventually it stopped.
In front of a huge bungalow.
Rani stared.
"This place belongs to you?"
Mahira stepped out of the car.
"Ivan."
The suited man nodded.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Prepare the garage."
"Already done."
Mahira walked toward the house.
Rani followed, still trying to process everything.
Inside the compound stood a large garage.
Mahira pushed open the metal door.
Rani stepped inside…
…and froze.
In the center of the garage stood a boxing ring.
Heavy punching bags hung from the ceiling.
Training equipment covered the walls.
The air smelled faintly of leather and metal.
Mahira stepped toward the ring.
Rani laughed.
"Wait… you brought me here for a workout?"
Mahira suddenly grabbed Rani's shirt and shoved her into the ring.
Hard.
Rani stumbled backward.
"What the hell?!"
Mahira removed her sari.
Underneath she wore tight black jeans and a short training top.
Her body looked strong, athletic.
Not the body of someone who spent ten years weak inside prison.
Rani's smile faded.
Mahira climbed into the ring.
"Get up."
Rani frowned.
"You're serious?"
Mahira nodded.
"Yes."
Rani cracked her knuckles.
"You know I was the toughest woman in that prison, right?"
Mahira tilted her head slightly.
"I know."
Rani grinned.
"Then this should be fun."
She rushed forward.
Mahira moved first.
Her fist slammed into Rani's jaw.
The impact echoed across the garage.
Rani's head snapped sideways.
Before she could react—
Second punch.
Straight into her stomach.
Air exploded out of her lungs.
Third strike.
Fourth.
Mahira's movements were precise.
Efficient.
Controlled.
Every punch felt calculated.
Not wild.
Not emotional.
Rani tried to fight back.
But Mahira was faster.
Stronger.
Deadlier.
Within seconds Rani collapsed onto the ring floor.
Blood touched the corner of her lip.
Mahira stood above her, breathing hard.
But her eyes…
Were cold.
Rani looked up, barely conscious.
"Why…?"
Mahira wiped a drop of blood from her knuckles.
Her voice was calm.
"I never keep debts unpaid."
She leaned down slightly.
"Not respect."
"Not humiliation."
Rani's eyes widened slowly.
Mahira continued.
"You beat me on my first day in prison."
Rani's memory flashed back instantly.
A new prisoner.
Quiet.
Silent.
She had pushed her.
Beaten her.
Mahira finished the sentence.
"I returned it… with interest."
She stepped out of the ring.
Ivan stood nearby, smiling faintly.
"Welcome back, my lioness."
Mahira hugged him briefly.
"You made me wait ten years."
"The fruit of patience is sweet."
Ivan nodded.
"Shall we celebrate?"
Mahira's expression softened slightly.
"Yes."
Then she asked quietly:
"How are my children?"
Ivan's smile disappeared.
He hesitated.
Mahira noticed instantly.
"Ivan."
He swallowed.
"Your children…"
Mahira's eyes darkened.
"What about them?"
Ivan struggled to finish the sentence.
"They…"