The Prison Project (by Bethany Donaghy) novel Chapter 195

Margot’s POV

“The nurse? What nurse?” His father just had to pick out that specific part above anything else, didn’t he?!

I thought on it, blinking once, twice, deciding that honesty was the only way to go with this man.

If Coban could sense bullshit, then I’d assume his father would be the same, and I didn’t feel up to a fight today… especially with the senior Santorelli…

“The nurse from the prison, she told me they were dating this morning back at the hospital wing… she said… they were uh… planning a life together on the outside when Coban gets out…” My voice came as a whisper, fragile and weak all of a sudden – evidently hurt by the whole idea.

Mr Santorelli eyed me for a brief second, before shaking his head, a bitter laugh leaving him, catching me off guard-

“The only person Coban has insisted on having a life with outside the prison, is you! He told me so today! I don’t believe there is anything serious with some so called nurse – you are just being a jealous little girl.” He waves a dismissive hand, as the last part stabs me direct.

A life with me on the outside? He told his father that?!

Was I truthfully just being a jealous little girl… was that all this was?

Or did I know deep down that I was right? That Coban and this nurse had some sort of history?

His words lingered, becoming uncomfortable when I thought about them over and over again… and he could see the effect he had on me.

It was hard to mask.

They sat in my chest heavier than they should have, making my fingers curl tighter into my palms.

Was that really what this was?

Jealousy?

Maybe Coban had changed his mind about me?

Or was Coban just a master of playing me like a fool?!

“I’m not…” I started, but my voice faltered, betraying me immediately.

I swallowed.

Tried again.

“I’m not jealous,” I said quieter this time, more controlled, even if my heart was starting to race. “She seemed… convinced. The way she spoke… the way she threatened me over it…” I trailed off at the memory.

He lifted a brow at that, his eyes squinting.

“This nurse threatened you? I’m sure my son won’t be happy about that…” he retorted, as I shook my head slightly.

“It just didn’t feel like she was making it up.” I reiterate, as he sighs heavily once more.

His eyes didn’t soften for my situation.

If anything, they sharpened further.

Dissecting every single word that left my lips.

“So now,” he said slowly, leaning back again like he had all the time in the world, “you’re choosing to believe a whorish prison nurse over me and my son?”

That made my stomach lurch, panic rising to the surface of my thoughts…

“N-No, I didn’t mean that,” I replied quickly.

“Didn’t you?” he countered, one brow lifting slightly. “Because I doubt Coban will appreciate your lack of trust in him – I certain in the room tightened.

ne muters, as we pressure

God, he was playing fucking mind games with me now!

This felt like some kind of test – and a test I was failing miserably!

Every answer gave felt like it was wrong…

Like I was being pushed into a corner without even realising it…

“I just…” I exhaled slowly, trying to steady myself. “I don’t know what to believe anymore, Coban wanted me gone this week and I thought that might be why.”

That was the truth.

The only thing I felt safe saying right now.

Because everything with Coban lately had been confusing.

Messy.

Painful.

“He told me to leave,” I added, my voice dropping slightly. “He put money in front of me and told me to take it.”

That memory still stung…

“And then he ignored me for days.” I continued, the frustration slipping through my words despite myself. “Like I didn’t even exist.”

My eyes flickered back to his.

“So you can understand why I’d question what the nurse said.” I confirmed, the last part being the firmest statement I’d made so far.

Silence followed.

Mr Santorelli tilted his head slightly.

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