A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 177

For reasons she couldn't quite explain, Elissa suddenly felt her eyes sting with heat. Without looking back, she jumped off the dining table and hurried out of the room.

Rowan watched as she practically fled, the urgency in her step making his chest tighten with agitation.

The moment the front door slammed shut, he kicked over a dining chair with a sharp, frustrated motion.

***

It was the day before New Year's Eve. Tanya Foster was heading home to spend the holidays with her family, and after seeing her out, Elissa crawled back into bed for a few extra hours of sleep.

Half-awake, she vaguely remembered—today was the day Bradley and the others were coming to Rowan's place for a housewarming.

She'd promised she'd be there.

But now, after her "fake divorce" with Frank, she wasn't sure if Rowan even wanted his mistress showing up in front of his friends.

Sighing, Elissa rolled over and decided to enjoy the comfort of her bed a little longer.

***

At noon, just as she finished washing up, the doorbell rang.

She set down her things and hurried to answer it. "Com—"

The door swung open. She froze for a moment, a sudden emptiness blooming inside her, though her smile stayed perfectly in place.

"Mrs. Garrett! Happy New Year! What brings you here? Come in, come in."

Janice Garrett stepped inside, her face warm and kind. As she changed into her house slippers, she said, "Happy New Year, dear! I made some fried treats for the holiday and thought I'd bring you some. There's meatballs and vegetable fritters."

Elissa felt a gentle warmth spread through her. "I thought you'd be busy celebrating with your grandson! I was planning to visit you in a few days to wish you a happy new year myself."

"Oh, don't even mention it." Janice feigned irritation and began stacking the boxes neatly in the fridge. "He's so busy, he barely has time for me. I don't even know if he'll be home for dinner tomorrow night."

But their situations couldn't be more different. Mrs. Garrett's grandson had a real girlfriend; she and Rowan were… something that lived in the shadows.

Elissa smiled and offered, "Maybe young people just need to go at their own pace. Don't worry—he'll bring your future granddaughter-in-law to meet you soon enough."

"Let's hope so," Janice said, not hiding her concern. "He's all talk, but soft-hearted. I just hope he doesn't scare her off with that stubborn streak of his."

Elissa couldn't help but laugh.

Her thoughts drifted briefly to Rowan—he was stubborn too, but his heart was anything but soft. If anything, it was made of stone.

Since it was the holidays, Janice didn't linger long. As she was leaving, she invited, "Elissa, why don't you come over tomorrow night and join us for New Year's dinner?"

Elissa knew Mrs. Garrett was worried she'd spend the holiday alone, but she was used to it. She smiled. "Thank you, but I'll be fine. I wish you a wonderful new year and hope you meet your granddaughter-in-law soon."

After seeing Janice out, Elissa returned to the kitchen and opened her overflowing fridge. She couldn't help but smile. Before Jacqueline left for her trip abroad, she'd dropped off a whole load of food as well.