The Prison-Made Queen novel Chapter 869

Callahan looked at the battle-scarred man across the fire, his tone calm but carrying the weight of an unbreakable vow.

"Even if you hadn't told me all this, I would protect Leilani with my life."

In the dim firelight, the two men shared a look of profound, unspoken mutual understanding.

***

They say it takes a long time to heal broken bones. Milford Sherwood had several shattered ribs and had spent a full week confined to a hospital bed before he was finally cleared to walk. His condition had stabilized, and the doctor recommended he finish his recovery resting at home.

The news thrilled him. Being bedridden and unable to move had driven him crazy. Going home meant Yvonne could at least push him around in a wheelchair to get some fresh air.

Gloria and Yvonne acted quickly. The moment the doctor signed off, Gloria handled the discharge paperwork with practiced efficiency—perhaps entirely too used to hospital procedures thanks to Yvonne’s past emergencies.

Sunlight filtered through the blinds, casting warm, geometric shadows on the pristine hospital floor. Propped up against the pillows, Milford looked significantly better, though a lingering paleness betrayed his recent trauma.

Gloria had her back to him, packing his belongings with crisp, decisive movements. She wore a simple, elegant cashmere cardigan. Yet, Milford noticed that during his week in the hospital, his mother had lost weight. She still possessed the refined grace of a high-society matriarch, but something fundamental had shifted.

It was a painful truth she had learned far too late. The damage was done, and all she could do now was cut their losses.

Yvonne, who was tossing toiletries into a travel bag, snapped her head up. "Don't you get it, Milford? All Dad cares about is the Sloan Group."

"He doesn't care about a wife, a son, or a daughter. Only power." Yvonne had realized this brutal fact back during Milford and Tamara’s disastrous wedding.

"Yvonne!" Gloria scolded in a hushed, warning tone, shooting her daughter a sharp glare.