A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 384

"Positive. Do you want one?"

"No."

"Alright." Elissa nodded emphatically and, without waiting for another word, darted toward the convenience store by the gate.

A few minutes later, she returned, slowly making her way back while taking small, deliberate bites of the refreshingly cold ice cream bar.

Rowan stood watching her, a profound tenderness softening his features as she approached, looking for all the world like a child. He composed himself as she drew near. "Is it good?" he asked, his voice neutral.

"Of course."

"Then let me have a bite."

It was a familiar exchange from their past. Almost by reflex, Elissa held out the ice cream, which she had barely started. As he leaned down and took a bite, she suddenly realized something was wrong. This was too intimate. They shouldn't be this close anymore.

Soon, once she could start paying the penalty, and once the person in prison made their move, this fragile warmth between them would vanish completely.

When Elissa snapped out of her thoughts, she saw that a huge chunk of her ice cream was gone. A massive bite. He was just as infuriating as he'd been when they were kids. He would always say no, that he didn't want anything, but after she bought just one for herself, he'd end up eating half of it.

Though, he would always buy her a new one the next day.

-

Seeing her swift change in attitude, Rowan's lips curved. "Would I lie about that? If you don't believe me, ask Ian. I just came from your future granddaughter-in-law's place."

"As long as you're not lying," Janice said, finally breathing a sigh of relief. "When can you bring her over for me to meet? How about the Mid-Autumn Festival?" She was getting anxious, afraid that Rowan would do something stupid again and the girl would want nothing to do with him. She couldn't bear the thought of a potential granddaughter-in-law slipping through her fingers before she'd even laid eyes on her.

"In such a hurry?" Rowan smiled, seizing the opportunity. "Then maybe you can tell me why you said on the phone last time that you wanted to introduce me to that young doctor's best friend? Why not the doctor herself anymore?"

Janice hadn't expected him to bring that up. Bound by her promise of secrecy, she avoided his gaze, her expression slightly unnatural. "Oh, that… I just had a feeling you two weren't a good match."

"That's it?" Rowan wasn't convinced. Janice wasn't one to believe in such things.

He played his trump card. "Don't you want to meet your granddaughter-in-law? Tell me the truth about this, and you won't have to wait for the festival. I'll bring her over in a few days."