A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 144

“Yeah.”

When Frank turned back, the shadows had vanished from his eyes. “You’re done for the day?”

“Uh–huh.”

Marcia slipped her arms around his, leaning into him with a playful pout. “I’m exhausted. Mr. Garcia’s patients were swarming all morning.”

Working under William did have its perks–she was learning a lot, but it was a grind.

She honestly had no idea how Elissa managed to handle that many patients on her own day after day. How did the woman not collapse?

Then again, people get what they deserve.

They weren’t the same.

Frank studied her quietly, his gaze unreadable. “Did you get the jade pendant from Elissa?”

“Got it!” Marcia beamed, tugging him toward the car. She muttered as she went, “No idea what her problem is–maybe she’s still holding a grudge about what happened at the hotel. She flat–out claimed the pendant

wasn’t mine.”

“Seriously, what’s wrong with her?”

She worried that Elissa would eventually catch on and run straight to Frank with the truth. Better to plant a seed now and get ahead of it.

Little did she know, Elissa was always one step ahead.

Frank paused for a split second, then smiled softly, his tone gentle. “Hey, Marcia, do you remember which hospital my dad was admitted to all those years ago?”

Marcia froze, then let out a laugh. “Wasn’t it your mom who was in the

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Chapter 144

hospital back then?”

She’d heard the story from the housekeeper. Frank’s father had died instantly in a car accident. Carmela, his mother, had spent a long time recovering in the hospital.

Pressing her nails into her palm, Marcia feigned concentration, tilting her head as if trying to recall. “But honestly, it’s been so many years–l couldn’t tell you which hospital it was.”

That afternoon, Elissa headed to the lab as usual.

But when she ran out of a rare ingredient, she wrapped up early and went

home.

On her way, Tanya Foster called. “Oh, honey, I almost forgot! The realtor called about your other place. It got rented out yesterday.”

After the divorce, Elissa had ended up with two apartments in Vistapeak Gardens–one she lived in, and the other directly across the hall. It was a two–units–per–floor design, so they rarely crossed paths with neighbors.

Elissa had asked the agency to rent out the spare place as soon as she’d moved in. But with its prime location and huge floor plan, the rent was steep, and she’d only allow full–apartment leases. So far, no takers.

Elissa was surprised. “That was fast.”

“Right?” Tanya was driving home herself. “Agent said the renter was super decisive–didn’t even check out the place in person. Just heard the apartment number and signed.”

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‘…They’re normal, right?”

Tanya hesitated. “Well, I hope so. Agent said they thought the number was… lucky,”

Unit 2202, Building 2.

What was so lucky about that? Who even thinks like that?

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Elissa got her answer soon enough. She took the elevator up, and as the doors slid open she saw the apartment across the hall wide open.

The entryway and elevator landing were crowded with expensive

furniture.

Even the mattress looked like it cost a fortune–seven figures, easy.

Elissa’s mouth twitched. How did she, of all people, end up as a landlord to someone with this much money?

Just then, a dog bounded out of the apartment, tail wagging.

It spotted her and froze, jet–black eyes fixed on her.

Elissa stared back.

It was a border collie, its markings uncannily like a blown–up version of

Max.

The dog made the first move, darting over excitedly and leaping up to plant its front paws on her. It sniffed her eagerly, nose working overtime.

Exactly like Max used to greet her when she got home from school.

Elissa was caught off guard by the wave of nostalgia. She knelt down, rubbing the dog’s head. “Hey, little guy. Did you mistake me for your

owner?”

“Max, get back here!”

A familiar voice called out. Rowan strolled out, one hand in his pocket, his tone casual and teasing. It was hard to tell if he was talking to the puppy or to her. “Didn’t you hear her? She says you’ve got the wrong person. Guess your mom’s done with you.”

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