I am 37 years old and was born in Hong Kong, with a post-secondary level of education. I am the eldest daughter in my family. Due to my parents’ work commitments, I have lived with my grandparents since infancy, so my relationship with them is particularly close.
In 2009, I entered the real estate industry until 2019 when the pandemic broke out. At the time I had just separated from my husband, with whom I have an 11-year-old son. I became a single mother.
Soon after I came to know a man who proved a very bad influence in my life. We both worked in real estate together but lost our jobs due to COVID-19; I worked part-time as a waitress while he struggled with depression, alcoholism, and gambling. He exhausted both his savings and mine and became physically abusive — neighbors called police several times. I feared him greatly.
Because the apartment was rented in my name, I could not escape being implicated. That was when I realised that he had lied about working at night — he had in fact been trafficking drugs.
In June 2023, he was arrested for drug use and spent a week in hospital. This was the first time I learned of his drug habit. After his release, I believed him when he promised to quit. However, every day I went to work and returned home late at night, often finding that he was not at home. We quarrelled over this and he claimed he was going out at night to work, asked me not to scold him, and promised he would definitely quit drugs. I believed him at the time because I thought he feared going to prison and was determined to change.
On 11 September 2023, as we left our home for dinner, police arrested him for drug trafficking. Only when an officer instructed me to empty my handbag did I discover he had placed drugs inside. Drugs were also found in our home. Because the apartment was rented in my name, I could not escape being implicated. That was when I realised that he had lied about working at night — he had in fact been trafficking drugs.
I have been held at Lo Wu Correctional Institution for two years and seven months. Upon being remanded, I formally ended our relationship.
I deeply regret not reporting him when he first assaulted me, not calling the police for help when he beat me, and for repeatedly believing his promises. I bear responsibility for my choices and the pain caused to my family. I have also missed many important moments with my son. As a mother, I have been a bad example, and I know I have let down my parents, causing each of them deep pain.
Since being imprisoned, I have missed my family deeply, especially my grandparents and my son. My grandparents, both over 80 years old, have to worry about me, travel a long distance to visit me. I am truly afraid that one day they will not live to see me again.
Fortunately, they still visit me regularly and give me much support and encouragement, especially when I told them I had found my faith during this time and they have promised to accompany me to church activities once I am released.
Finding God
During my time on remand, fellow inmates encouraged me to study things I had never encountered before — such as the Bible — and taught me to pray. This experience has made me deeply aware of my own weaknesses and how my past negligence and mistakes caused my family great distress. I now see anew the importance of family and the weight of responsibility, and I have come to appreciate the preciousness of freedom.
I know I must change, and I am willing in the days ahead to live in a more responsible, humble, and upright way, to distance myself from people and things that could lead me astray, and to accept any counselling or guidance that can help me improve my life. I wish, through God’s love and strength, to truly change myself, start anew, and never again make my family worry because of me. Thank you for taking the time to read my account.
Note: This letter has been translated from its original in Chinese. Switch language to read the original letter.