A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 452

Helena took the sample kits, frowning. "No, but you really should watch where you're going."

-

In the car, Rowan's words left Elissa in a prolonged silence. It took her a moment to pull a shred of reason from her chaotic thoughts.

She chose to follow her heart, speaking softly, "Thank you for defending me back there."

When she hadn't known the Wilkinson family's stance, with Maya and Marcia cornering her, his support had been a lifeline. A direct confrontation with the Wilkinsons wouldn't benefit her right now, and she didn't want to burn that bridge just yet. Rowan stepping in had kept them from becoming outright adversaries. Of course, Suzanne and Laurel's later attitude had been the complete opposite of what Maya had shown.

Rowan's lips twisted into a self-deprecating curve. "I've never spoken up for you before? I don't recall you ever thanking me then."

Elissa braced herself for him to demand she make up for all the thanks she’d omitted in the past. She even had her answer ready. But he didn't want them. What he noticed was the distance and formality between them—two things that should never have existed.

As a child, Elissa had accepted Rowan's affection and protection as the most natural thing in the world. Sometimes, if he defended her and said something she didn't like, she would pout and complain about him to Ian Murphy for ages.

Like the first time she tripped one of the mean girls to protect Tanya Foster, and they both got beaten up for it. The teacher, without getting the full story, had lectured them about how "it takes two to tango" and made them stand in the hallway for two periods, bruised and swollen. She was young and sensitive, and the snickers from other students during the break were humiliating.

Rowan had rushed to the school, his brow furrowed tightly as he stared at her face. He then marched her to the principal's office to set things right, but in the process, he'd let slip, "Our girl can be a bit delicate, but…"

Of course, the rest of what he said was all in her defense. But Elissa was already on the verge of tears, and the word "delicate" was all it took to open the floodgates. On the way home, she was bawling her eyes out, protesting, "How am I delicate? Where am I delicate?"

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