The Prison-Made Queen novel Chapter 661

“You’re not going to the Langleys’?”

Leilani opened the fridge, her tone calm. “No, it’s fine. Callahan probably had something urgent come up. I’m not even sure if we were really going today.”

…

The water in the pot bubbled furiously.

Standing before the stove, Leilani stared at the roiling water, her thoughts drifting.

Maybe something had come up for Callahan unexpectedly. Maybe he was just busy and would come find her as soon as he was free. Or maybe… maybe he’d only mentioned her birthday casually and hadn't given it another thought. Or perhaps his so-called “surprise” was just a product of her own wishful thinking.

She lowered her gaze, gently stirring the noodles in the pot.

…

Yvonne sat at the dining table, sneaking glances at Leilani’s back. She wanted to say something but didn’t know what. In the end, she could only offer a quiet suggestion. “Leilani, why don’t we… get the cake from the fridge and eat it?”

Leilani’s movements paused for a second before she nodded. “Okay.”

…

The cake was placed on the table. It was small, and the frosting had melted a little, but the strawberries on top were still bright red and lovely. Leilani cut a slice and took a bite. Sweetness spread across her tongue, but a bitter taste bloomed in her heart.

Yvonne nibbled on her fork, then hesitated before pulling out her phone.

“Leilani,” she started, “maybe I should just send Mr. Langley a message and ask…”

Leilani pressed her hand down. “Yvonne, don’t.”

She managed a small smile, her voice soft. “It’s just a birthday. It’s not a big deal.”

Though she said that, Yvonne could see the disappointment Leilani couldn't hide.

[Follow the light.]

Leilani bent down and picked it up. The handwriting was all too familiar. It was Callahan’s.

What on earth was he up to?

Leilani looked up toward the end of the hall, where a faint glimmer of light beckoned like a firefly. Her heart suddenly began to pound.

She followed the light, which led her unconsciously to the stairwell to the rooftop. The door to the roof was ajar, a soft glow seeping through the crack. She took a deep breath and pushed it open.

On the rooftop, the sky was filled with stars. Countless strings of tiny lights were wrapped around the railings and trellises, sparkling in the nightfall like a cascade from the Milky Way.

And there, standing in the center of the starlight, was Callahan. Dressed impeccably in a suit, he was holding a large bouquet of red roses. The night wind rustled his clothes and hair, blowing away the last of the gloom that had settled in Leilani’s heart.

She stood frozen, her eyes growing warm.