After ten years behind bars, a woman walks free—but freedom comes with its own sentence in this bold and unsparing novel by national bestselling author Kimberly Brown.

After serving a ten-year sentence for killing her mother’s boyfriend, Alayah Chambers is finally free—but freedom comes at a cost. Haunted by the abuse that landed her in prison and judged by a society that still sees her as a criminal, Alayah must piece together a new life in a world that isn’t quick to forgive. Determined to reclaim her future, she sets out to confront the ghosts of her past—including the woman who failed her the most: her own mother.

Killian Lake, a successful attorney and Alayah’s childhood friend, never forgot her—or the signs he missed back then. When a colleague offers him the chance to help overturn Alayah’s conviction, he doesn’t hesitate. Reunited after years apart, the chemistry between them simmers beneath the surface. And while Alayah keeps her heart guarded, Killian’s steady support begins to chip away at her defenses.

As buried secrets emerge and old wounds resurface, Alayah must choose: Will she let her past define her future or embrace the love and justice she’s always deserved? With Killian by her side, healing is within reach—but only if she’s willing to claim it.