The prisoners mercilessly mocked the new warden because of her short stature, but none of them could imagine who this woman really was, and what she was capable of.

muscle, or the fear you can instill.

It comes from being consistent.

Do not succumb to provocations.

To see the person, but not to justify his behavior.

To speak calmly when everyone else is screaming.

And not letting anyone decide your worth by how you look.

In the common room, Martin was sitting at a table, writing a letter.

When I saw her, she got up.

“Mrs. Doneva, my sister answered me.

Ralitsa stopped.

“What did he tell you?”

He smiled uncertainly.

“That she’s still angry. But that he is glad that I have finally written.

Ralitsa nodded.

“This is the beginning.

From the other end of the corridor, Ivo Tashev was walking with a group to the workshop.

Their eyes met briefly.

He didn’t smile mockingly.

He just nodded.

It wasn’t forgiving.

It wasn’t friendship.

It wasn’t redemption.

But it was respect for the limit she had set.

And