A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 428

Elissa froze. Maya wasn't a Wilkinson by blood?

Maya was even more stunned. She spun around, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Jesse, how could you say that to me in front of an outsider?"

When Tristan Wilkinson had brought her into the family, he had always introduced her as the third Wilkinson child. No one had ever questioned her identity. With Vera missing, the public simply assumed the Wilkinsons had four children: Laurel, Jesse, Maya, and Rex.

Jesse's traditional upbringing kept him from entering a woman's bedroom uninvited. He remained in the doorway, his tone calm but icy. "All I know is that Dr. Drummond is a guest invited here by Mother and Laurel. If you consider yourself a Wilkinson, you should treat her with respect. But since you're not acting like one, how do you expect me to treat you?"

"I didn't..." Maya's confidence wavered, but she refused to back down. "Besides, have you forgotten what Dad told us?"

Tristan had made it clear years ago that her adoption was to be kept private, to prevent others from looking down on her.

Jesse's expression didn't change. "And have you forgotten what Grandpa taught us?"

Old Mr. Wilkinson had always insisted that his grandchildren never abuse their power and privilege.

Being publicly rebuked by Jesse in front of Elissa was humiliating. Maya's face flushed with anger and shame, and her eyes welled up with tears. "I wasn't throwing my weight around! It's you all who are unfair!"

Her voice rose, filled with accusation. "It's you! And Mother and Laurel! You're all just using her as a replacement for Vera, aren't you?"

She pointed into the room. "Even my room is on the third floor. Why does she get to stay on the second floor the moment she arrives?"

After Wilkinson Manor was rebuilt, the second floor was reserved for the elders and for Vera's room, which had been kept untouched. Though there were other empty rooms, Suzanne had wanted her peace and quiet, so all the children, including the eldest, Laurel, were given rooms on the third floor.

Elissa had no idea about any of this. She looked up to see Maya glaring at her, her voice trembling with rage. "Why do you think my mother treats you so differently? It's because they can't find Vera! So they're projecting all their feelings for her onto you!"

"Maya!" Jesse's voice, usually so even-tempered, cracked with rare anger. His eyes flashed. "You watch what you're saying. How dare you even say her name?"

If it weren't for Tristan's constant protection, she might not have had a place in this family at all.

The more she thought about it, the more unfair it seemed. They both had the Wilkinson name, so why was Vera the cherished treasure while she was so easily cast aside?

Without waiting for Jesse's response, she shot Elissa one last venomous look and ran from the room.

For a moment, Jesse seemed lost in thought, as if genuinely considering her question.

Elissa, an unwilling witness to their family's private tragedy, stood frozen, unsure of what to say. Jesse finally seemed to snap out of it, turning to her with an embarrassed expression. "I'm sorry you had to see that."

Elissa shook her head. "It's okay."