The Prison-Made Queen novel Chapter 600

Her mind relentlessly reviewed all of Callahan's recent irregularities. She thought back to how he had intentionally avoided her when answering phone calls. Perhaps that was exactly when he first started showing his true colors.

It was funny—she had actually believed something was going wrong with his company at the time, and had even been worried about him. Now, she realized she had been completely overthinking things.

Looking back, the whole situation was downright laughable. Callahan wasn't trying to keep her from worrying; he was just terrified she would find out the truth.

Her chest felt as though an invisible hand were crushing it, squeezing so tightly she could barely breathe.

At 3:05 a.m.

Her phone screen suddenly lit up in the darkness. A message from Ethan had popped up.

[Leilani, are you asleep?]

[Not yet. I can't sleep.]

Ethan was somewhat surprised to receive her reply. Truthfully, when he sent the text, he didn't hold much hope of getting her to come out with him. After all, Leilani seemed like the type of woman who maintained a very healthy, disciplined lifestyle. He had firmly believed she'd be fast asleep by this hour.

But since she was still awake, Ethan laid out his original plan.

[If you can't sleep, want me to come pick you up for a drive?]

Leilani's initial instinct was to refuse. Given her current state of mind, she simply had zero enthusiasm for anything. Everything that had gone down with Callahan today left her feeling utterly drained. She just wanted to curl up in the quiet solitude of her apartment without moving an inch.

But... the apartment was far too desolate. Staying alone with her thoughts would inevitably lead to more overthinking. Leilani had never imagined that there would come a day when she'd succumb to such agonizing mental friction.

Ethan initially felt bewildered when he saw Leilani smile, but then the realization dawned on him—she was teasing him for being such a stickler for the rules. Regardless, seeing her smile finally let him heave a sigh of relief. He knew from the desolate look she wore when she came downstairs that something was seriously wrong.

Leaning against the railing, Ethan turned his head toward Leilani and tested the waters. "So? Are you feeling any happier after coming out for a drive?"

Leilani froze for a second. She hadn't realized her emotions were so obvious. She genuinely thought she had hidden them quite well.

Still, she had to admit that standing out in the cool night breeze had significantly eased her depression.

She nodded softly. "Much better. Thank you."

If it hadn't been for Ethan, she probably wouldn't have caught a wink of sleep tonight, endlessly replaying the day's events within the suffocating confines of her room.