A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 225

Elissa couldn’t stand to drag things out for even one more minute.

Only by ending it quickly could she truly feel separate from this marriage.

Otherwise, every time Frank Atwater cornered her, it was like something was stuck in her throat—she couldn’t spit it out, but she couldn’t swallow it down either.

Carmela, hearing how crisp and decisive Elissa’s answer was, nearly choked from anger. Gritting her teeth, she snapped, “What possible good could come from a divorce? Without the protection of the Atwater family, you’ll have nothing to gain and everything to lose!”

Elissa almost laughed. Protection? She’d be lucky if they didn’t go out of their way to humiliate her.

Her face remained calm as she replied, “If you won’t give it to me, that’s fine. I’ll go to Rowan—he’ll know how to get me a new divorce certificate.”

Carmela had connections, sure. With a single call, she could make it almost impossible for Elissa to get a replacement certificate. But Rowan? One phone call from him, and Elissa could probably get ten of them without breaking a sweat.

Of course, she had no real intention of asking Rowan for help. She was only bluffing. If she didn’t bring up Rowan now, who knew how long Carmela would drag this out before handing over the paperwork?

She refused to let them stall her any longer.

Carmela hadn’t forgotten that Elissa and Rowan had reconciled—and that Rowan was her brother, ready to back her up. But she never expected Elissa to use that against her!

This little brat had really grown a backbone.

Had she forgotten that, once upon a time, she needed the Atwater family’s help just to get a job out in the world?

Carmela was furious, but also terrified that Elissa might actually go complain to Rowan. Forcing herself to soften her tone, she said, “I’ll give you the divorce certificate. Just promise me you won’t tell Frank unless you absolutely have to.”

She still had no idea how to break the news to her son.

Her original plan had been to pull some strings and void the certificate altogether. But since it was already in the system, there was nothing she could do.

Elissa, unmoved, replied flippantly, “Depends on my mood.”

With the divorce certificate in hand, her muddled marriage was finally, officially over.

It was all finished.

She was heading to her car when Hickey came barreling past her—like a runaway bowling ball—racing toward a car that must’ve arrived while she was inside.

“Mommy!”

Marcia Carson stepped out of the car, bent down, and scooped him up in a warm embrace. “Did you miss me?”

Hickey nodded so hard his hair flopped. “Uh-huh!”

From a distance, the two of them looked like the perfect picture of mother and child—so tender, so loving.