A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 675

That cut way too deep.

If anyone else had dared say that to him, Rex would have torn them apart. But this was Laurel, the older sister who had commanded his absolute respect since childhood.

Rex didn't even bother denying it. He took the hit head-on. "How do you know everything?"

"I'm psychic."

Looking at him, Laurel's eyes softened with a rare, almost pitiful sisterly affection. "If you want to win a woman back, you actually have to act like a man trying to win her back. Drop the arrogant billionaire attitude."

Laurel had only met Tanya a couple of times, but from the moment she had tried to hand the girl a blank check, she knew Tanya's pride was untouchable. She wasn't a woman who could be bought.

So, if this idiot brother of hers wanted a second chance, he had to start by bowing that untouchably proud head of his.

Rex stayed silent.

When had he ever acted arrogant in front of her?

At most... he just didn't want to look desperate.

But what man didn't want to keep his pride intact?

Laurel was about to say something else when a faint sound echoed from down the hall. Instantly, her dear brother's head snapped toward the noise, practically straining his neck to look.

"Pathetic."

Laurel's words were sharp, but her tone was amused and light. "What good is pride anyway? If you're that worried about her, go check on her."

Before the words were fully out of her mouth, Rex was already striding down the hallway.

-

Rivercross Residence.

As the evening shadows deepened, Elissa sat at the dining table, her eyes constantly darting toward the front yard.

Janice Garrett noticed and scooped some food onto Elissa's plate. "Don't worry. Rowan knows what he's doing. He'll be perfectly fine."

"Yeah, I know."

Elissa smiled to keep Janice from worrying, but her heart remained a tangled knot of anxiety.

Yesterday, when Rowan found out Marcia wanted to meet her tonight, he had asked for her permission to handle it.

She obviously wasn't going to walk into a trap. No matter how desperate she was for answers about her past, she never forgot she was carrying a child.

Rowan must have asked Tanya to come keep her company so she wouldn't spiral.

"He didn't even bother calling. He just orders me around," Tanya scoffed playfully, pulling out her phone to show Elissa. "Look. He sent me one text, and I came running like a loyal puppy."

Elissa glanced at the screen. It was a single, authoritative sentence: [If you have time tonight, come to the residence and keep her company. Thanks.]

"You're the absolute best."

Elissa hugged Tanya's arm tighter, her voice softening. "Have you eaten? We're just having dinner now."

"No, feed me before I pass out. I'm starving."

Tanya had spent the entire day at the hospital and dealing with lawyers. The second she finally got a moment to breathe, she saw the text and rushed straight over. She was ravenous and wasn't about to be polite.

Whether it was because Tanya was eating with such infectious enthusiasm, or simply because having her best friend there settled her nerves, Elissa picked up her fork again and effortlessly finished a large portion of her meal.

Janice breathed a heavy sigh of relief and smiled warmly at Tanya. "You should come over more often. The house has plenty of empty rooms. Stay the night whenever you want."

"I'd love to."

Tanya smiled brightly. "In that case, I'm definitely crashing here tonight."