A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 8

During her shifts at the clinic, Elissa would tirelessly remind her patients to keep themselves warm, repeating the advice as often as necessary. But when it came to her own health, she was far more indifferent.

Frank could only shake his head at her nonchalance. "What are you going to do if you catch a cold or a fever?"

"I'll just take some medicine," she replied breezily.

She knew from experience that a simple cold was easy enough to treat—a dose or two of medicine and she'd be mostly fine. It had always been that way for the past three years.

She certainly didn't expect Frank to take care of her.

In fact, she didn't expect anyone to.

Frank watched her dismiss her own wellbeing and felt a vague discomfort settle in his chest. "You make it sound like your husband doesn't care about you at all."

She paused, caught off guard. "Did you open the present I gave you yesterday?"

"Not yet," he answered in his usual even tone. "It's for my birthday, isn't it? I figured I'd save it for then."

"...Alright," she murmured.

That actually gave her plenty of time to prepare.

They rarely had much to talk about, and after that, the car fell into silence.

Frank glanced over at Elissa, who simply gazed out of the window at the rush of traffic, her expression unreadable, her posture quietly reserved. She looked harmless, gentle even.

He couldn't understand why Marcia disliked her so much.

Frank's lips twitched as he tried to think of something to say, but just then, his phone rang.

"Mr. Atwater, Ms. Carson has gone on a blind date," said the voice on the other end, calm and measured.

Elissa heard every word.

The air inside the car instantly grew tight and stifling. Elissa could feel the storm brewing inside Frank as he fought to restrain his anger.

He was always composed, rarely showing any trace of temper.

As soon as Elissa stepped into the old house, the butler led her toward the dining room.

"Miss Elissa, the matriarch has been waiting for you since this morning. She's been looking forward to your return."

"Thank you," Elissa replied softly, her hands unconsciously tightening in front of her.

Inside the dining room, Matriarch Paige Murphy sat at the head of the table. To her left sat her eldest and second daughters.

Elissa entered and greeted them one by one, following the family's tradition. "Grandmother. Aunt Margaret. Aunt Sylvia."

The two aunts responded with lukewarm acknowledgment. Matriarch Paige, however, peered over Elissa's shoulder and frowned deeply when she saw she was alone, the lines on her face etched sharply. "Where's Frank?"

Elissa answered honestly. "He had an urgent matter come up and had to leave."

The next moment, a furious shout rang out, accompanied by the sound of a teacup shattering on the table.

"Out! Kneel in the hallway!"