A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 365

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Elissa's movements stuttered. She walked back to him and, while unscrewing the cap, began to gently apply the ointment to his leg. "Whether it's true or not doesn't change anything," she said softly.

She might as well have said, *It's none of your business.*

Rowan had never felt such a surge of frustration with no outlet. The cause of his torment, however, seemed oblivious, her fingertips gently spreading the cool cream over his skin. The cold ointment melted under her touch.

"How does it not change anything?" he demanded, his irritation growing. "Isn't getting back with him the whole reason you're so determined to cut me off?"

"Who said that was the only reason?" After finishing with his leg, Elissa was about to close the tube when she remembered the bruise on his face. She squeezed out a little more ointment and reached up to dab it on his cheekbone. "When you abandoned me back then, was it because you wanted to go raise another little sister?"

"…"

Rowan froze, taken aback by both her words and her actions. Just like years ago, she was tilting her head up, carefully applying medicine to his face, the undisguised concern in her eyes. It was a stark contrast to the heartless words leaving her lips. As he watched her, the anger simmering inside him suddenly vanished.

"Fine," he said, a corner of his mouth lifting into a wry smile. "Then why don't you tell me the real reason?"

His patience was something no one else had ever witnessed. But Elissa wasn't buying it.

She pulled her hand back, screwed the cap on the tube, and rose with a cool detachment. "The medicine's applied. I'm going home now." With that, she was ready to walk out.

"Wait!" Just as she reached the entryway, Rowan suppressed the wave of frustration that threatened to overwhelm him again. His face was tense. "If you're leaving," he bit out, "take Max with you."

His tone was that of a husband in a bitter divorce, dividing custody of the children.

Elissa's eyes lit up. She turned back to him. "You're really giving Max back to me?"

"What do you mean, ‘giving him back'? We raised him together." Rowan's voice was cool. "I'm only letting you take him because you kicked my leg so hard I can't walk him. You're just looking after him for a while."

Even a little while was good enough for her. Elissa happily agreed. Before she could even call him, Max joyfully trotted over, his bed in his mouth, and dropped it at her feet. He then proceeded to rub his head against her leg, expressing his sheer delight.

Rowan watched the pathetic display with a frown. "Have I not been good to you? You keep that up, and you're not welcome back."