A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 372

"Hey!" Tanya had her own logic. "I'll be its *spiritual* father. I'd definitely be a better dad than Rowan, right?"

Elissa thought about it and had to admit, Tanya had a point. She couldn't imagine that arrogant, sharp-tongued man as a father. She pictured a baby wailing for its bottle, and Rowan frowning dismissively. *You have hands, don't you? Make it yourself. And while you're at it, get me a glass of water.*

The image made her nod in solemn agreement. "You're right. Definitely."

"So, are you still in the mood for that barbecue?" Tanya asked, glancing at the feast they had planned. "Can you stomach it? Should I order you something else?"

"Stomach it?" Elissa chuckled. "I'm starving. I could probably eat the entire table by myself."

Although wine was now off the table, the thought of a new life on the way filled them both with joy, and they ate with gusto. Tanya didn't want to spoil the mood, but she had to ask. "What are you going to do about Rowan? If he finds out…"

He would undoubtedly fight for custody. And Elissa would never win against him. She'd go through ten months of pregnancy only to hand her child over to someone else.

Elissa, while munching on a crisp, juicy slice of watermelon and flipping a piece of steak on the grill, answered without a hint of hesitation. "Then I just won't tell him."

She couldn't afford to think too far ahead. All she knew for certain was that she was keeping this child.

The two friends talked late into the night, eventually falling asleep on the sofa, wrapped in blankets and sprawled in opposite directions.

The next morning, Elissa was just groggily sitting up when the doorbell rang. She glanced at the time as she shuffled to the door in her slippers.

"Oh dear, did I wake you?" Janice stood on the doorstep holding two large insulated bags. Seeing Elissa's sleepy expression, her smile grew even warmer. "I should have come later. I'm so sorry."

Elissa noticed an untouched insulated bag on the dining table and hurried over to open it. "You cooked for me, too? You must have been busy all morning."

"If you enjoy it, I'd cook for you every day," Janice said warmly as she unpacked the containers. One of them was a cold dish. "This is a raw marinated seafood salad. I saw that it's quite popular with young people these days, so I thought I'd give it a try."

Tanya, having just emerged from the bathroom, chimed in with a grin. "She can't eat that right now, but I certainly can. I'll make sure none of it goes to waste." Pregnant women couldn't eat raw food because of the risk of listeria.

Janice's brow furrowed with concern. "Why can't she eat it? Are you feeling unwell, dear?"

"Grandma…" Elissa knew Janice's affection was genuine, so she decided not to hide it. "I'm pregnant. I have to be careful about what I eat for the next few months, so no raw foods for me."

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