A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 12

Elissa’s eyes were clear as glass, her voice feigning innocence. “Didn’t you say there was something urgent when you left? I figured it must be important, so I didn’t want to bother

you.”

Frank fell silent, caught off guard by her words.

For a split second, he wondered: if stopping Marcia from going on that date meant Elissa would get hurt like this, would he still have done it?

His hesitation was written all over his face as he glanced up, meeting her gentle, obedient

expression.

A heaviness settled in his chest. He grabbed the first aid kit, and as he dabbed antiseptic on her wounds, he asked quietly, “Why didn’t you ever tell me about being hurt before?”

Elissa didn’t answer.

She had truly wanted to be Mrs. Frank Atwater, to make a good home with him. She’d believed–maybe naively–he’d make a good partner. In everyone’s eyes, the Murphy family was her family, after all. Who would complain to their husband about how terribly their own family treated them? She wasn’t that foolish, nor did she ever believe she was especially cherished by Frank.

She’d always known he didn’t really love her. Only recently had she realized he never loved her at all.

But she’d never planned to live her life relying on anyone’s affection.

Her hands rested on her knees, picking absently at her fingertips. Her voice was quiet, almost apologetic. “I just didn’t want to put you in the middle between me and the Murphys.”

“After all, Atwater Group still needs to wor

with them.”

She couldn’t tell him the truth. So she lied, but it was the only thing she could say with any sincerity.

Frank listened, his throat tight with guilt. Her thoughtfulness shouldn’t be the reason he kept hurting her.

He took a deep breath, forcing down the ache in his chest, and gently ruffled Elissa’s hair, his tone soft and coaxing. “I’m sorry. I really messed up this time. I even forgot our anniversary the other day. Little Elissa, is there anything you want? I’ll get you anything.”

A house, a car, jewelry, designer bags–he’d always been generous with those things.

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“Send me your location. I’ll be there right away!”

He hung up, ready to leave, but he’d only tended to half of Elissa’s wounds. The cotton swab in his hand, still damp with antiseptic, left him momentarily torn.

Elissa reached out and took the swab from him, her voice calm and reassuring, as if offering him an easy way out. “I can do the rest myself. If you have something to take care of, go ahead.”

People always said that the squeaky wheel gets the grease. But Elissa’s life was different. Whenever she cried or complained, it never brought comfort–only more punishment.

Still, she believed that one day, she’d buy her own “candy.” As much as she wanted.

“…Alright.” Frank let out a breath, relieved, then added almost defensively, “It’s Marcia. She’s hurt, and she’s got the kid with her. I should go check on them.”

With that, he turned and hurried out.

Almost without thinking, Elissa called after him, “Frank–how come I’ve never heard you

call her ‘sister–in–law‘?”