A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 202

It almost felt like Rowan was trying to clarify things for Elissa—trying to make sure she understood his relationship with Lorraine.

Tanya leaned in close, whispering in Elissa’s ear, “I have to give it to your boyfriend—he’s quick to shut down any rumors. Doesn’t even give you a chance to wonder.”

Elissa wanted to set her straight, to tell her the truth, but she bit her tongue.

Even though Rowan hadn’t spared Lorraine’s feelings, Lorraine chose to stay in the lounge with everyone else.

The mood shifted, a subtle tension threading through the room.

Rowan acted oblivious, dropping onto the couch and glancing briefly at Tanya beside Elissa, then lowering his gaze to his phone, idly scrolling or maybe texting someone—no one could tell.

Elissa didn’t dare sit next to Frank; instead, she tugged Tanya over and they claimed a spot in the far corner.

In the end, it was Bradley who broke the ice. “Let’s play truth or dare,” he suggested, trying to liven things up.

They went with the classic rules: spin the bottle, and whoever it points to has to answer a question or take a dare from whoever spun it.

No one had to think too hard; whether they’d played before or not, everyone joined in easily.

They were all friends here, or at least familiar enough, and the game quickly brought the laughter back. Lorraine, ever the social chameleon, slipped right back into the group’s rhythm.

After a few rounds, folks started to loosen up.

Elissa managed to dodge the bottle every time, narrowly escaping the spotlight.

But this round, the bottle stopped right in front of Tanya.

One of Bradley’s buddies grinned and asked, “What’s your type? Any requirements for your ideal partner?”

The group immediately erupted with teasing shouts and whistles.

They were adults—everyone knew exactly what was being implied.

Tanya wasn’t the shy type. She laughed and started ticking things off on her fingers. “Let’s see… at least six-foot-one, works out every day, totally loyal—”

“Alright, alright, we get it.”

She didn’t get to finish; the door swung open with a sudden thud.

Elissa was surprised. She watched as Rowan looked straight at Frank and, in an even voice, asked, “Back then, why did you have to marry her?”

He didn’t name names, but everyone knew who he meant.

The room, once buzzing with laughter, fell silent. You could hear a pin drop.

Frank froze for a moment, his gaze drifting to Elissa. There was a flicker of regret in his eyes. After a pause, he reached for his glass, downed the whiskey in one long swallow, not leaving a drop.

Someone silently refilled his glass—that was the rule. If you refused to answer, you had to drink three times.

Elissa stared at the floor the whole time, as if she were just an observer, not really there.

Lost in thought, she didn’t realize the bottle had spun again and landed right in front of her.

She was just about to look up to see who had spun it this time when Lorraine spoke up, her voice cutting through the quiet.

“So, Elissa—which matters more to you: Mr. Atwater or your brother?”