A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 388

At the end of the day, she was still his mother. He took advantage of a break in his schedule to check on her.

He arrived just as the Atwater family was sitting down for lunch. Grandmother Atwater was at the head of the table, with Carmela and Marcia Carson on either side. At first glance, the scene was almost harmonious.

But Frank's arrival shattered the peace.

Carmela's face instantly turned to ice. "Weren't you disowning me? What are you doing back in this house?"

"Don't talk nonsense." Grandmother Atwater, who rarely lost her temper, slammed her fork down on the table. "If anyone were to be disowned, this is still Frank's home. He is a true Atwater."

Both Carmela and Marcia flinched. Carmela was merely upset that her own son was defending an outsider, but the matriarch's words had stripped her of all dignity, all but saying that if Frank were forced to cut ties, she would be the one to leave.

"Grandmother, please don't be angry. Your blood pressure will spike," Frank said gently, taking a seat. As a servant set a place for him, he added calmly, "I was out of line. I upset my mother, so it's natural she's upset with me. Let her vent."

His words softened Carmela's expression slightly. "So you admit you were out of line? All for a woman…"

"That's enough!" Grandmother Atwater cut her off impatiently. "He's offering you an olive branch; take it. Frank is finally home for a meal. Do you really want to turn this into a warzone?"

"You should never have interfered with Frank and Elissa's divorce. And now, you will not interfere with his work."

"Mother…" Carmela couldn't hold back any longer. "You have no idea! He's about to risk our entire family to help that wretched girl…"

Frank's face darkened, but before he could speak, his grandmother interrupted again. "The Atwater family is in his hands now. Neither you nor I have any right to question his decisions. I trust he knows what he's doing and will act with measure."

"…"

Carmela was seething. Just as she was about to retort, Marcia, sitting beside her, suddenly grimaced, covered her mouth, and rushed toward the restroom.

Grandmother Atwater frowned. "She couldn't be…"

He looked down at her, his voice as cold as a serpent's. "Go get rid of it. And don't drag your feet. Because if I have to find the time to go with you, I promise you, it will be a far more painful experience."

Marcia's legs went weak. Whatever schemes she had been plotting, she could only nod in submission. "…I'll take care of it as soon as possible."

"One more thing," Frank said as she turned to leave. "What foods usually trigger your morning sickness?"

"Why are you asking?" Marcia questioned reflexively, but wilted under his terrifying gaze. "Anything with a strong smell, or anything greasy. Like fish, or fatty meats…"

"Fatty meats?"

"Yes, like a rich beef stew. I used to love it, but lately, I can't stand it."

Marcia wasn't sure if it was her imagination, but as soon as she said that, Frank's expression grew so dark it looked as if it might start to rain.