The Prison Project (by Bethany Donaghy) novel Chapter 191

Margot’s POV

The restaurant felt like it belonged on some expensive tropical resort rather than on a maximum-security prison island…

Soft music drifted through hidden speakers, the lighting warm and golden above the polished wooden tables.

The scent of grilled meat, spices, and rich sauces floated through the air, and after having barely eaten in days, the plate in front of me looked like something out of a dream.

Creamy pasta coated in a thick sauce, ribbons of parmesan melting over the top, and soft grilled chicken on the side…

My stomach practically growled at the sight of it.

“That looks incredible!” Cara gawks across the table.

I grin weakly at her enthusiasm, twirling the pasta around my fork.

“So does yours!” I shoot back, nodding toward her plate.

Her fajita order was ridiculous.

A sizzling skillet crackled beside her plate, loaded with seasoned chicken, peppers, and warm tortillas stacked high with bowls of guacamole, salsa, and sour cream.

“I’m gutted I can’t have another cocktail this week,” I admit with a sigh, lifting my glass of plain water instead. “Last week’s one was to die for.”

Cara laughs softly and agrees.

“I know,” she says sympathetically. “But it’s okay. We’ll wait and have one next week.”

She lifts her own water glass in solidarity and takes a sip.

Next week…

The words linger in my mind longer than they should.

Another week with Coban…

He would probably be furious when he discovered I’d stayed.

After the money.

The bribe.

The way he practically shoved me out the door and told me to leave.

He had made it pretty clear he didn’t want me here.

And yet…

I couldn’t leave Cara.

Not after everything we’d been through together.

We came into this project together.

We’d finish it together too.

“So,” Cara suddenly says, breaking through my thoughts as she lifts a loaded tortilla toward her mouth. “What happened back there this morning?”

She chews thoughtfully before continuing.

“When I came into your room you looked like you’d seen a ghost.”

I take a slow bite of pasta before answering, letting the warmth settle in my stomach.

God… it tasted incredible.

“Oh… that?” I start.

I lean slightly closer across the table, lowering my voice even though the nearest table is several metres away.

“The nurse you saw leaving… the one who looked all pissy and annoyed?” Cara nods immediately.

“Well…” I hesitate, my stomach twisting again. “Apparently she’s been dating Coban this entire time.”

Cara slams her palm against the table. “I knew something was up!”

The sudden bang makes me jump in my chair.

A few heads turn briefly from nearby tables.

“Sorry!” she blurts quickly, lowering her voice.

I stare at her in disbelief.

“You knew?!” I whisper harshly.

“Oh god no, not like that!” She waves her hands frantically. “But on the first day after the incident? When the guards brought us up to see you?”

I nod slowly.

“Well,” she continues, leaning forward, “I caught that woman staring at Coban like he was the last man on earth.”

Cara rolls her eyes dramatically. “I mean full psycho level staring.”

My stomach sinks further.

“And then,” she adds, lowering her voice even more, “she winked at him and blew him a fake kiss.”

“Oh lord…” I murmur.

So it was true…

Maybe the nurse hadn’t been lying…

Maybe I really had been stupid enough to fall right into some kind of sick manipulation game with Coban…

Great.

“How could I be so dumb, Cara?” I whisper, my voice trembling slightly.

My eyes sting for a moment.

Cara quickly waves a dismissive hand.

“Hey, hold on,” she says firmly. “Don’t get me wrong though, Marg, Coban didn’t give her the satisfaction.”

I blink up at her.

“He whipped his head away so fast I thought he’d snap his own neck,” she continues. “Looked irritated as hell too.”

That surprises me slightly…

But Cara just bursts into hysterical laughter.

“Yeah that happened by the way!” I stare at her in complete shock.

Then despite everything… despite the stress, the fear, the confusion…

I start laughing too.

Because honestly…

Only Cara could casually drop something like that in over fajitas.

But eventually the laughter fades.

And reality creeps back in.

“I can’t go back to that hospital wing.” I admit quietly.

Cara’s smile disappears. “Yeah… I agree.”

She thinks for a moment.

“Do you feel strong enough to go back to your cell tonight instead?” She questions.

My stomach twists.

Back to my cell?

Back to Coban?

Would he even let me sleep on his bed after everything?

Would he even want me there?

Or would I be walking straight into another argument…

Another betrayal…

Another mess I wasn’t ready for?

I stare out the massive window beside our table.

The island stretched across the horizon beneath a perfect blue sky.

The ocean glittered in the distance.

It looked like paradise.

If you ignored the armed guards and prison walls surrounding it…

I take a slow breath.

Anything was better than that psychotic nurse…

“I guess,” I murmur quietly.

But the thought of seeing Coban again made my chest tighten.

Because I had no idea what version of him I’d be walking back to.