A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 31

“Yeah, the visa.”

Elissa made something up on the spot. “Tanya Foster invited me to take a trip to Europe. I thought it sounded like a hassle, so I wasn’t interested, but Mom heard about it and said she’d make arrangements for someone to take care of the visa for me.”

No sooner had she finished speaking than her phone chimed.

-A bank notification: five hundred thousand dollars had just been deposited.

Frank didn’t press her any further. He shifted the conversation back to last night. “Weren’t you looking for me about something? What was it again?”

Elissa hesitated for a moment, pressing her lips together. “It was just the visa thing. I figured if you helped, it’d save me some trouble.”

“So, I got back a little too late?”

Frank gave a small, amused laugh, glancing over at the empty gift box on the coffee table. “Was that for me?”

“Mom saw it and liked it, so she took it.”

Elissa shrugged. “If you really want one, I’ll ask Mom to get you another next time.”

Frank nodded, not pushing for details. “If Mom likes it, then let her have it.”

He seemed entirely unbothered.

Just as he’d always been over the past three years of their marriage.

Elissa used to think it was because he was gentle, easygoing–someone who didn’t get upset easily. Only now did she realize it was because he just didn’t care.

It didn’t matter to him whether he got the gift or not, whether she was there or not. From the start, he’d always kept his distance.

But now, Elissa found she didn’t mind anymore. She just smiled. “Alright. As long as I don’t have to spend money to buy another one myself, I’m fine.”

“Such a penny–pincher,”

Frank shot her a sidelong look. “I’m not stingier with you than Rowan is, am I?”

Elissa’s fingers absentmindedly traced her palm as she smiled faintly. “You’ve always been generous.”

Growing up, there were plenty of birthdays she’d celebrated with Rowan’s friends.

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Chapter 31

When it came time for gifts, Frank always managed to pick just what she wanted.

He was never stingy.

He was a gentleman, always willing to make his friend’s little sister happy.

But that’s all she ever was to him–his friend’s little sister.

Her answer seemed to satisfy Frank. He grinned. “Still got such a temper? Are you still fighting with your brother?”

“I’m not fighting with him.”

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