A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 189

Elissa finally found her answer when she arrived at the Atwater estate.

To her surprise, Marcia hadn't come home for the holidays, but Hickey was there, dutifully staying by Old Mrs. Atwater's side for once.

They showed up just in time for dinner—barely a minute before the meal was served. They hadn't even settled in when the butler stepped in to announce that dinner was ready.

Everyone made their way into the dining room and took their seats. Carmela's displeasure was impossible to miss.

"Amazing. You finally come home for the holidays, but you show up right at dinner time. Anyone who didn't know better would think you're the matriarch here!"

It was obvious who she meant.

Elissa pretended not to hear, but Frank couldn't let it pass. He spoke up, calm and even. "Mom, it's my fault for not managing our time better. If you have something to say, say it to me."

"Frank!" Carmela drew in a sharp breath. "Let's get this straight—I'm your mother. You're always defending someone else—"

"By ‘someone else,'" Elissa suddenly smiled, glancing up at her mother-in-law, "do you mean me, or Marcia?"

If Carmela meant her, Elissa thought, that was deeply unfair. But if she meant Marcia, then she was out of line saying this in front of everyone; she wasn't about to take the blame for someone else.

Carmela's face stiffened, her jaw clenched. "It's only right that Frank looks out for his sister-in-law. He's just helping Spencer keep an eye on Marcia and her son. Why make such a fuss?"

It was Carmela who'd always worried that Frank might one day marry Marcia. And now, for the family's reputation, it was Carmela who stubbornly refused to admit it.

Elissa smiled. "If it's only natural for him to defend Marcia, then isn't it even more natural for him to defend me? Why be upset?"

"Elissa!" Carmela was fuming, not for the first time at Elissa's quick tongue. "If you—"

"That's enough!" Old Mrs. Atwater's voice cut through, stern and cold as she looked at Carmela. "Carmela, so the kids were a little late. It's the holidays. Let's not make a scene over nothing."

"Yes, Mother." Carmela's bravado deflated; she'd always been intimidated by her mother-in-law.

He looked guilty, lowering his voice to wrap up the call before walking over.

Elissa forced a smile. "Marcia's missing?"

"No," Frank shook his head. Bernard had just called to say they were close to finding out which family in Vistapeak City had adopted little Nine all those years ago. But he wasn't sure how to explain that to Elissa.

Elissa couldn't think of anyone else he'd go to such lengths for, but she didn't press. "I need to clean up."

The mango pudding turned out to be much harder to wash off than she'd expected.

She scrubbed at her sleeve under the tap for ages, but the stain only faded a little.

They were supposed to join the Murphy family for New Year's dinner later, and she could already imagine the old Mrs. Murphy's pointed remarks if she saw the stain.

Lost in frustration, Elissa was startled by a sudden knock on the restroom door.