The Prison Project (by Bethany Donaghy) novel Chapter 193

Margot’s POV

The movie theatre was dim.

Soft.

Quiet in a way that didn’t feel suffocating for once.

The large screen flickered ahead of us, casting warm light across the room as “The Devil Wears Prada’ played out scene after scene – sharp dialogue, glamorous outfits, a world so far removed from mine it almost felt unreal to witness.

And that was exactly why I needed it right now…

It was the perfect escape.

Cara and I were sprawled out on one of the oversized bed-like seats toward the back, a shared tub of popcorn between us, blankets pulled loosely over our legs like we were in some luxury cinema instead of on a controlled prison island.

For a moment…

It almost felt like we were a couple of normal girls, having a movie day.

I shifted slightly, wincing as a dull ache rippled through my ribs. The medication had taken the edge off, but the pain still lingered beneath the surface – coming in constant waves, reminding me of exactly where I was and what had happened to me only days ago.

But still…

Being here and fighting through the pain was fair better than where I was this morning.

Better than that hospital wing.

Better than being near that damn nurse!

I swallowed two more of the pills the doctor had given me, washing them down with a sip of water, ignoring the slight burn in my throat as I leaned back into the cushions.

Don’t think about it…

Don’t think about Coban…

Don’t think about the nurse…

Don’t think about anything…

Just watch the fun and easy going movie…

Cara nudged me lightly with her elbow as something funny played on screen, and I forced out a small laugh, grabbing a handful of popcorn to keep up appearances – masking that I hadn’t just began to spiral mentally.

We had around two hours left here today.

Two hours of pretending this place was a luxury holiday and not hell.

Somewhere else before facing him…

I could do that.

I had to, for my own sanity.

But then…

The doors opened.

The sound alone felt wrong.

Too loud and disturbing for a quiet cinema hall – as the voices filled the room.

My head turned instinctively to find out what was going on, my body already tensing as three men in suits stepped inside the room.

Not guards.

Not staff.

But the suits, and they always felt worse…

They paused just inside the doorway, scanning the room slowly, as though they were looking for something…

Searching for someone…

My fingers tightened slightly around the popcorn bucket, before…

“…Is he pointing at us?!” Cara whispered suddenly, her voice tight with panic.

I glanced over my shoulder, just to confirm that there was no one else near us.

Empty…

“Crap… I think so,” I whispered back, my pulse beginning to quicken now at the sudden involvement.

One of the men lifted his hand again and this time he pointed again, directly at me!

My stomach dropped.

The three of them started walking toward us at a quick pace.

Purposeful.

The movie kept playing behind them, voices echoing faintly as the tension in my chest grew tighter with every step they took closer.

What did they want? Maybe the doctor had contacted them to come check on me? Maybe they weren’t satisfied with my interview this morning?

The last thought made me panic more, watching them stop right in front of us…

“Miss Belle?” The man’s voice cut straight through, rising above the film.

Commanding the room as my cheeks grew hot.

I blinked up at him.

“Uh… y-yeah?” I nodded slowly, confirming my identity as I almost wished in that moment that I would have lied.

He gestured toward the door.

“You have a visitor. Please come with us.” He stated, as my brows pulled in.

A visitor?!

My brain struggled to catch up…

He said I had a damn visitor? Who the hell was here to visit me?!

“A visitor? Are you sure?!” I babbled, thinking that maybe they’d got the wrong girl?

“Yes, we cannot disclose in public who it is for privacy reasons, but if you’d please just come with us.” He confirmed, as Cara shot upright from beside me.

I had never seen before in my life?

Confused, I just stared, finding that the room felt smaller with him in it. Like the air itself bent around his presence…

He sat comfortably on one of the sofas, arms stretched along the back like he owned the space – like he owned everything.

And I only knew of one other person who could dominate a room exactly like this… jobnib-com.

His black hair was slicked back neatly, his broad posture relaxed like a predator waiting for its prey…

His eyes locked onto mine the second I entered.

Sharp.

Piercing.

Unforgiving.

I didn’t move, didn’t speak, as he motioned lazily toward the sofa opposite him.

“Bella, is it?” he said smoothly.

My stomach twisted instantly.

That nickname…

“I believe that’s what my son calls you.” He continued.

Son?!

The word hit me like a gunshot.

My heart dropped straight down into my stomach.

Oh no…

No no no!

“Please,” he continued, his tone calm but edged with something dangerous. “Sit with me.”

My legs felt weak.

Unsteady.

But I forced them to move anyway, stepping further into the room like I wasn’t walking straight into something I wouldn’t be able to walk back out of…

“…let’s talk.” He murmured, the door behind me suddenly feeling very, very far away.

And as I lowered myself onto the sofa opposite him…

The realisation settled…

This man…

This man was Coban’s father!