A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 203

To anyone else, the question seemed harmless—no different from asking a child if they loved their mom or dad more.

But Elissa and Rowan weren’t anyone else. Their relationship had always been complicated, and so the question, so ordinary for others, was anything but for them.

Still, Rowan and Frank both turned to her, waiting for an answer. The others did the same, eyes quietly expectant.

Elissa smiled, her tone light but honest. “Honestly? Neither really matters to me.”

Her answer drew laughter from the group, though no one seemed surprised.

After all, Rowan had abandoned her for eight years. Frank hadn’t touched her for three, too busy pining for Marcia Carson.

Really, they were all just as bad as each other.

The evening rolled on, and after a few more rounds of games, someone suggested playing cards. The suite had two card tables, each separated by a decorative screen. The mood was relaxed, and the groups kept to themselves.

At one table, Rowan, Frank, Bradley, and Tanya Foster gathered, with Elissa seated quietly beside Tanya, watching the hands unfold.

Someone called Rex over to the other table, but he declined, pulled up a chair beside Tanya instead, and grinned. “I’m here to bring you luck.”

Tanya flicked a card onto the pile, not missing a beat. “I’ve got Elissa for that. She brings me all the luck I need.”

Rex arched an eyebrow. “So if you win, it’s your skill. If you lose, it’s my fault? Fair enough?”

“Deal,” Tanya replied, this time with a hint of amusement.

Elissa made a mental note: she’d definitely have to tease Tanya about her and Rex when they got home.

After a while, Elissa excused herself to use the restroom. On her way back, she called Aaron Blaine to check on Jacqueline’s health.

“Don’t worry,” Aaron’s voice was reassuring. “She’s almost fully recovered.”

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