Sent to Prison, I Came Back a Billionaire

"Katherine Monroe, you can leave now." The prison guard said.

It was three years after I went to jail in my brother's place. He was accused of murder but for his wife's sake, I, the only daughter and youngest child of the late feared Mafia leader, Maxim Monroe, was asked to take the place of murderer.

I smiled as I stepped out of my cell. I had waited for three hard years in the nation's toughest female prison.

"Your time is up." The guard announced.

I was finally free and I could see my family again.

The guard handed me my old clothes. They were too big because I was really thin and slim from years of malnutrition and giving my food portions to my friend, Portia.

I had quickly learned to be tough around here because my family was one of the 12 Mafia families around the area. I protected her from the prison bullies and insolent guards.

Portia was my only friend in prison. She was the daughter of an oil Tycoon that had businesses all over the world. Her father could've had her out of the prison earlier but she decided to stay because of me.

"Don't you dare forget me." Portia yelled at me as the prison guard opened her cell too.

She was leaving the prison as well. Her custom Ferrari was already waiting outside for her. She would be returning to her wealthy life.

I grabbed the bars, "I would not dare. You're more than a sister to me."

"Don't make me cry. Tell that good-for-nothing family of yours that they can go to hell."

Portia had this idea that my family had abandoned me because they didn't come to see me in prison but I understood why.

They were busy trying to pick up the scraps of what remained of our family's business after my father's death .

That was what pushed my brother to commit the crime in the first place.

"I promise Portia I will invite you to our family Christmas dinner."

"Huh sure." She rolled her eyes then pressed something into my hand, "I have a gift for you, just in case the things don't work out with your family."

"I doubt I'll need it but thanks." I slipped it in my pocket.

She was one of the nicest people I had known in all of my life and it hurt to know I would be leaving her behind to serve her life sentence.

The guard pushed me forward, telling me that it was time for me to leave if I did not want to extend my stay.

I stepped outside, looking for my family or at the very least, my brother expecting him to come and pick me up with one of the old family pickup trucks .

But the car park was empty.

I asked the guard, "Why is there was no one to pick me up?""

The man at the counter said, "We called your family but no one returned the calls."

What if something had happened to my family?

At the last time that I heard, Lisa, my brother's wife, was still trying to get pregnant.

Out of fear that something had happened to my family, I quickly ordered a taxi to my family house.

When I walked into the house the only person standing there was Lisa, my brother's wife. She was heavily pregnant.

"What are you doing here?" She asked with shock on her face.

"I live here."

"Aren't you supposed to be in prison?" She dialled a number on her phone. "I'm calling the police."

My mother walks in before I could respond.

She asked, "What's all the commotion about?"

"Mom, I missed you."

I tried to hug her but she pushed me way. Like I was a violent and dirty thing. And not the daughter she had begged to take the fall for her own son .

I touched my chest as I explained, "It's me, Katie."

She replied with a painful look. "Why are you back in this house?"

"I'm done serving my sentence. I'm free."

"You shouldn't have come back here." Lisa shook her head.

"The shame on our family can never be removed." My mother said.

I was confused and still in pain from what Lisa had said to me.

Why wasn't I allowed back into the house I had grown up in? And my family, they were the only people I knew.

I wanted to enter my room and take a long hot shower, wear my favorite pajamas, and sleep for as long as I could before eating my favorite meal; Crab Cake.

I tried to enter into my room. Lisa blocked the way.

"You can't go in there."

"Why?" I asked, trying to look beyond her.

"That's my baby's room."

"No, that's my room." I yelled over her voice. "Please Lisa, I rushed down here because I was worried about you. But now, I need to rest."

I couldn't push her out of the way because of the baby in her stomach.

Lisa screamed at the top of her voice "Jackson, you need to come in here."

Hearing my brother's name, I was overjoyed. I missed him more than I missed my mom this past few years. After our father died, he treated me like an egg.

I ran towards the study where I knew he would be.

I heard Jackson talking to someone. "I was hoping she would've died in prison. I ignored all the calls from the police. Transfer Kathy's properties to me this instant."

"Jackson?" I whispered.

I could not believe my brother would steal my share of the little dad left us at his death.

I had worked hard to invest my inheritance.

"Before she went to prison, I could have married her to the London family. But no one wants her. She's bad luck." Jackson continued

My heart shattered.

I didn't have time to grieve because his wife pushed past me, and screamed while pointing at me. "If she doesn't leave, I'm leaving with the baby."

Jackson looked up and met my eyes.

But where I expected to see love from my brother I saw nothing but pure hatred. "Kathy, why are you back without calling?"

"I did. No one answered my call." Had Jackson forgotten the words he said a few minutes ago? "I want to know why all my things were removed from my room."

"That's why I wanted you to call. We don't have space for you." Jackson explained.

"My room is just down the hall." I pointed at it. "I don't take up much space."

"My wife is heavily pregnant and she needs a lot of space. The baby will also need a room. We thought your things weren't useful. Since..."

He left the words hanging in the air. He didn't have to say it. We all knew why I was in prison for three years.

"I can give up my room, but why am I being treated like a stranger? I'm a member of this family. I provided more than half of the things in this house. Dad—"

My mother smacked me across the face before she spoke with anger. "Don't bring your father into this. He's the reason we went into debt."

I was shocked hearing this from my mother. When my father was alive, she dared not say a bad word against him. In fact, she would always take his side over anyone else. She and my father's love encouraged me to believe in family always having your back.

That was why I didn't hesitate to take Jackson's place when he was supposed to be charged with murder. But now, I had to speak my mind and hope they could remember how we used to love each other.

"We went into debt because you spent too much and Jackson wouldn't stop gambling. Dad wouldn't be pleased to see what is going on."

"Then it's better that he's not here to see it." My mother said.

I looked at all their faces, trying to understand why they wanted me out of my own house. "Fine, at least let me sleep on the couch. I don't have anywhere else to go."

"It would be better for you to stay in prison," Lisa said. "You already have a bad record."

Jackson quickly put his hand around my shoulder as he led me towards the main door that led to the street.

"Don't take this the wrong way sis , but I have a young child coming. He can't grow up in the same house as an ex-convict."

I cast his hand off my shoulder. "If things had gone right, your son would be the child of an ex-convict."

"You have to understand, Kathy."

I turned to my mother. She has always been able to convince Jackson to do the things he didn't want to do.

"Mom please, I don't have anywhere else to go. I've been fired from my job. None of my friends will talk to me. You didn't even visit me in prison."

My mother threw some dollar bills on my face. "Find a motel or a cheap hostel. That's the best I can help you with."

"This isn't enough to rent a small room for a day." I bent down to pick up the money.

"I have other pressing responsibilities. My grandson is coming soon." My mother frowned.

"Mum, please. Remember, I'm your only daughter..I gave my life to Jackson." I knelt down and tried to hold her skirt.

She kicked me off, then smiled at Lisa. "My daughter-in-law is the only daughter I have. Get out, you have no use here."

Now I could see everything Portia had said; why they never visited, why they never returned my calls. Even though I told them about the investments I made to secure my family's future, they didn't even bother to send me some of the money in prison.

I turned back to my brother, "You owe me, Jackson. My life is ruined because of you. At least, consider that and help me get back on my feet. Please, I'm still your little sister."

Lisa pushed me, "Don't talk to my husband like that. Have you forgotten that he's older than you?"

"Then he should act like an older brother and not throw me out of the house that I saved when the debtors wanted to take it."

"Your loss. Things have changed. Jackson has other priorities. Since you left, this family has been so much better. You must have bad luck."

I turned back to Jackson. He was the one who would have the final say.

But all he said was "I'm sorry, baby sis. There's no place for you. We managed to wipe the shame off our family when you were gone. It's best you never return Think of your nephew, give him a good start. Don't let him be insulted because of you."

I had made great sacrifices for these people. I could've died for them if they asked me. But they were willing to throw me away so easily even though I spent every day in prison, waiting to be reunited with them.

I didn't even think of how my friends would see me when I was accused of murder.

I turned to Jackson who had promised to always be my side and to support me when I came out of prison. "You lied to me on the day of the trial?"

"Would you have been willing to go to prison if we told you the truth?" My mother asked.

I still found it hard to believe that they used me as scapegoat. Other times when they used me started to come to mind.

"Lisa, I gave you blood for six months. I almost lost my life because of it."

"Thank you for giving me blood but you can't hold me ransom because of it."

"Same here. Thank you for going to prison. Are you happy now?" Jackson relied.

"I just want a place to live."

"Leave before I get men to drag you back to jail!" My mother pushed me out of the house and locked the door. "

After I was kicked out of my own house by my family, I tried to find a place to sleep. All the cheap motels were already filled.I had no choice but to wander around the city, looking for a place to sleep while I thought of a plan.

I was so deep in thought that I didn't notice a car charging towards me, so I froze in place, unable to make a decision of whether to go left or right.

The driver was sharper, turning at the last moment so that his car brushed me slightly. The driver drove quickly away, leaving me bruised on the floor. A small box fell out of my pocket. It was Portia's gift that I had forgotten about it when I hurried home worried for my family.

I opened the box and noticed a cheque with Portia handwriting. She had given me 200 billion dollars. I leaped, even though my hips hurt from getting hit by the car.

My original plan bad been to rely on my family for help and to try and find a job that did not require me to show my face or say my full name, like customer service.

But thanks to Portia, I could start my life all over. I could chase the dreams I had abandoned for my family's sake. Many times, they talked me lut of investing in real estates because we 'needed' the money.

This time, I wouldn't allow them to take this from me. I headed for a real estate company with the money Portia gave me.

Once I entered, the receptionist stared at me with a nasty look. “The lost and insane is in the opposite direction."

"I want to buy a villa."

She laughed, "Look around. Do you see anyone who looks like you?”

Everyone there was dressed in fancy clothes and jewelleries.

“No, but—”

“Exactly. Go away.”

I shook my head. “I would like to see your manager.”

“My manager does not want to see you.”

I knew there was no way I could reach the manager from here.

So, I settled for racing towards the elevator.

“Security!” She called.

I got into the elevator before they did. Once I got in, I got off at the second floor and continued on foot because I knew they would be waiting at the top for me to get off the elevator.

I pushed open the door to the manager's office and walked in.

”Do you have an appointment?” His secretary asked.

I walked past her like she hadn’t said a word. I didn’t stop walking until I entered the manager’s office. He was an old man in his 50s.

“Who are you?” He asked without looking up.

“Boss, I’m sorry.” His secretary tried to pull me out of the office.

I pushed her hand away, “I’m Katherine Munroe. I want to buy a Villa."

"You are insane." His secretary yelled.

"I have a premium cheque slip from Rexford." I raised the cheque in the air to prevent his secretary from dragging it out of my hand.

The manager walked to us. "Let me see the cheque."

He inspected my cheque, handed it back to me then picked his phone, dialled a number and spoke for a few minutes in a low voice before he turned to me with a smile. "Welcome to Sunset Real Estate. I'm so sorry for the reception you've received. Please, come and take a seat."

“Boss?" His secretary still gave me a dirty look. "She can't possibly own that cheque. Maybe she stole it."

“Shut up. Do you not know that she holds money in the Hurst Estate? Rosaline, get our finest wine. We need to welcome her properly." He yelled

“She looks no better than a cat from the dumpster.” His secretary still had a look of disbelief on her face.

“I know my worth. What’s yours?” I asked her with my new found confidence.

“Get out before I fire you.” He yelled at her.

She ran out.

Then he bowed as he said. "I am happy to be at your service. Please, forgive my secretary."

Looking at this man, I was reminded of how my family had treated me. When I was able to provide for them, I was the star of the house. They were always willing to prepare my favourite meals. But the moment, I could not longer work like a donkey, I lost value.

"Well, considering how you both received me, I'm not so sure I want to buy anything anymore."

The manager knelt on the floor.. “Please, Miss Monroe, it was a silly mistake. I will make sure everyone that insulted you is properly disciplined."

I was having a new start on life, so it was easier for me to forgive. "Just don't judge people by their appearance again."

"Yes, ma'am." He rose and came to me with a smile. "Are you ready to see our catalogue? We have houses in the South, Upper East, the Island and —"

"Upper East Side. Five bedrooms, all ensuite with additional guest bathrooms. Something modern and already furnished."

The manager showed me several options and I picked one closest to the waterside. That evening, I was the proud owner of my own house.

I called Portia with my new phone as soon as I got to the house. She picked on the first ring, almost like she had been expecting my call.

"Thank you, Portia. I don't even know how to say that I'm grateful."

"Think of it as me returning a favour. So, take your destiny into your own hand." Then she asked. "So, what's your billion dollar plan?"