Bernard Phelan recounts his harrowing experience as a hostage in Iran, detailing the emotional turmoil of hearing fellow prisoners cry before their executions. He was arrested during his fifth visit to Iran, accused of espionage, but later learned he was taken hostage due to his French nationality. Phelan describes the brutal conditions in prison, the intense interrogations, and the uncertainty of his fate. Despite the regime's treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals, he felt he was spared due to his European status. After 220 days, he was released in May 2023, reuniting with his husband and father.