A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 208

Elissa remembered how busy she and Tanya Foster had been back in college.

They were ordinary girls, and they knew that studying was their only way forward. So they raced against time, squeezing every spare moment into their books.

Since they didn’t even live in the same dorm, they might only see each other once or twice a week.

Elissa glanced at Tanya. “So what happened? Why did you two break up? Honestly, when I saw Rex today, it was obvious he still has feelings for you.”

“Because of the gap between us,” Tanya said, her tone light, as if it didn’t matter at all. “His older sister gave me a check for a million dollars and asked me to break up with him.”

Rex’s sister was over ten years his senior, and in the Wilkinson family, her word carried as much weight as their parents.

She’d joined the army early and risen quickly through the ranks, and over the years, she’d become someone who never took ‘no’ for an answer.

“What?” Elissa gasped.

Tanya laughed. “Honestly, it’s not that strange. Aren’t there a million soap operas like that?”

“No,” Elissa shook her head. “That’s not what I meant. I wanted to ask—you didn’t actually take the money, did you?”

“...No.” Tanya sighed. “I was just too young back then.”

She’d been barely twenty. Her own family’s relentless favoritism toward sons had already taught her how important money could be. But at that age, even if you’re dirt poor, pride always feels more precious, and you just can’t stomach a single ounce of humiliation.

Tanya flopped onto the bed and stared at the ceiling, lost in the memory. “I almost started crying. I jumped up, told her I’d break up with him, and then—right in front of her—ripped the check to shreds and slapped it back down on the table.”

She later heard that Rex’s sister got another promotion, and for days Tanya couldn’t sleep, terrified she’d come after her in some way.

After all, it would take just the flick of her finger to ruin Tanya’s whole future.

Luckily, it ended up being nothing. Rex’s sister probably forgot her name the very next day.

Elissa listened, torn between wanting to laugh and feeling a pang of sympathy. “So… how do you feel about it now?”

“Hello, Mrs. Garrett?”

Janice Garrett’s voice was cheerful and warm. “Hi, Dr. Elissa! Are you free tomorrow?”

“I am,” Elissa replied, smiling. “If you have time, I’d love to come over and wish you a happy New Year.”

She’d been thinking about it for days. But given how close—or not—they were, it didn’t feel right to visit too early and risk intruding on Janice’s time with her other friends and family.

If Janice hadn’t called today, Elissa had planned to ring her in the morning to ask if it was convenient.

“That would be wonderful!” Janice exclaimed, practically beaming through the phone.

When she hung up, she was so delighted she could hardly contain herself.

Rowan, watching her glow with happiness, raised an eyebrow. “Who was that on the phone?”