A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 483

Jacqueline's implication was clear—she assumed the child was his.

But the timeline on that ultrasound report...

A faint glimmer of hope flared up in Rowan's mind.

However, just as the thought formed, Aaron cut in. "Enough. Elissa hasn't even said who the father is, so what are you guessing for? I'm just annoyed that he couldn't even take good care of her."

The glimmer of hope was instantly snuffed out.

Rowan's lips pulled into a self-deprecating smile.

Right. What was he thinking?

How could he foolishly hope the child was his?

He lowered his gaze. "You're right. I failed to protect Elissa."

He couldn't protect her when they were kids.

And the same was true now.

After dinner, the older couple refused to overstay their welcome and insisted on heading home.

They didn't let Elissa or Rowan see them out either.

Rowan had no choice but to arrange for Evan Murphy to drive them.

When Elissa walked her mentor and his wife downstairs, she couldn't help but say, "Jacqueline, this whole mess started because of me. I've caused you two so much trouble."

Jacqueline gave her a chiding look. "Child, we're family. What's this talk of trouble? No more of this polite nonsense."

Elissa curved her lips into a smile. "Okay, I understand."

Aaron simply stared at her slightly rounded stomach with worry. "Rowan still doesn't know the child is his?"

"He doesn't know yet." Elissa lowered her eyes, resting a hand gently on her abdomen.

She needed to be absolutely certain that Rowan wouldn't take his anger out on her because of Matriarch Paige Murphy.

Rowan frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Do you know who the police officers in charge of Orion Stone's arrest years ago were?" Ian didn't beat around the bush. "It was Elissa's parents. One was the lead investigator, the other was on the front lines."

Hearing this, Rowan abruptly stood up from the sofa and strode over to the balcony, his entire demeanor radiating a chilling intensity.

When Ian didn't get a response for a while, he asked in confusion, "Boss?"

Rowan tapped his fingers rhythmically against the railing, his voice low. "I recall Elissa's parents passed away in an accident?"

"Yes." This was something Ian had personally investigated back when Rowan brought Elissa to the estate.

A fatal car crash.

It was essentially the first task Ian had done for Elissa, so he remembered it clearly.

And it was for this reason that Rowan's subordinates had always shown her an extra degree of care growing up.

Rowan's eyes darkened as he hit the nail on the head. "Did you ever confirm if it was truly an accident back then?"