A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Elissa headed toward the gate and immediately spotted Cliff.

Dressed casually yet sharp, Cliff stood tall and striking, effortlessly handsome.

He seemed to be searching for her as well–their eyes met across the crowd.

Even after all these years, Cliff still looked genuinely taken aback by Elissa’s bare–faced beauty. He crossed the distance between them in a few quick strides and took her backpack from her shoulder.

He glanced over her delicate face, and his professional instincts kicked in. “You haven’t been sleeping well at the hospital these past couple days, have you?”

“A little,” she admitted.

Just two nights ago, a new patient had arrived on her ward–a lovely older woman with an impressively loud snore.

When Elissa boarded the plane, she was surprised to find her seat had been upgraded to

first class.

Cliff caught the confusion in her eyes and arched a brow. “It’s so you can actually get some rest. This trip’s on your own time, after all. The least I can do is make sure you’re comfortable.”

He handed her a small sachet filled with lavender and chamomile–something to help her

relax.

དང་། །

Elissa accepted it with a smile. “Is your expense account going to cover all this, Professor?”

“Don’t worry, I can afford a little luxury.”

“Well then… Thanks, Cliff.”

Elissa didn’t bother with false modesty. The truth was, Cliff’s family owned one of the most prominent pharmaceutical companies in the country. Running his own holistic medicine center was more of a passion project than a business.

Neither of them had expected that the herbal remedy they’d developed together would put the clinic on the map. Ever since, patients had been lining up out the door.

There was a six–hour time difference between Vistapeak City and Germany.

When they landed, the sun was shining in Berlin, the weather warm and bright.

The research institute had sent a driver to pick them up and take them to the hotel.

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Chapter 23

Cliff walked Elissa to her room and, as she fished for her key, he noticed her bare left hand. “You usually never take off your wedding ring. Where is it?”

“Lost it,” Elissa said with a shrug. “Cliff, I’m getting a divorce.”

Cliff blinked, then a slow, delighted smile spread across his face. “So the old man was right–Frank never deserved you.”

Elissa caught the glimmer of amusement in his eyes. “Should I take that as you gloating?”

“You wound me. I’m genuinely happy for you.”

He grinned, carrying her luggage inside. “Get some rest. I’ll pick you up for dinner tonight.”

“Okay.”

Once alone, Elissa freshened up and finally dug her phone out of her bag.

Tanya was in a meeting when the message came through. Relieved to know Elissa was okay, she didn’t respond right away.

Elissa had no interest in speculating.

She was standing inside Berlin Cathedral, gazing up at the sculptures overhead, answering at her own pace. “No idea. Not yet.”

She kept it brief.

She wasn’t in a hurry, but Tanya was. “Elissa, aren’t you even a little anxious?”

“No matter how it plays out, the result won’t change.” Elissa’s tone was light. “So why

rush?”

“…Fine,” Tanya sighed. “If every one of my clients and bosses were as zen as you, my life would be a lot easier.”

“That’s impossible,” Elissa teased. “Half your salary is hazard pay for dealing with people’s

stress.”

By the time Elissa left the cathedral, dusk had fallen.

Seeing it was nearly time, she took a cab back to the hotel and ran into Cliff in the

elevator.

They headed to the restaurant reserved by the institute–a welcome dinner in their honor.

Their mentor, after all, was a renowned figure in holistic medicine. Representing him, they

were treated as VIPs.

The institute’s local representative greeted them with a warm handshake. “Mr. Riley, Ms. Drummond, thank you for coming such a long way. Please, have a seat.”