A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 491

The treatment went incredibly smoothly. Afterward, Sean Cross accepted the new prescription Elissa Drummond had written. Leaning on his cane, he walked them to the door. "Dr. Drummond, thank you for all the trouble."

"I won't delay your matter, don't worry." He brought it up before Elissa even had to ask.

Elissa pressed her lips together. Her guard remained up, but her tone softened a fraction. "Mr. Cross, please let me know the moment there is any progress."

Even though Rowan Murphy's words had eased some of her confusion, she still needed to know why she had ended up entirely alone in an Eastern European smuggling den all those years ago.

Was she trafficked? Abandoned? Or... were her parents the smugglers themselves?

A chilling wave of dread washed over her at the thought. However, another realization surfaced with crystal clarity: if that were true, even if they were still alive, she would never acknowledge them.

Her life had already been a mess for decades. She couldn't allow a single ounce of risk into her child's life.

On the way to the research institute with Cliff Riley, he noticed her absentmindedness. He hadn't wanted to pry, but out of genuine concern, he finally asked, "What exactly did Mr. Cross promise you?"

Elissa slowly snapped out of her daze. "He promised..."

Before she could finish, her phone rang. The caller ID flashed: Paige Jensen.

She used to put on a polite front and save the contact as 'Grandmother,' but she had changed it recently.

Paige hadn't stirred up trouble for her in a while. Surprised by the call, Elissa hesitated for a moment before answering. "Hello." Her tone was glacial, stripping away any formal greeting.

In the past, Paige would have used the opportunity to scream at her. Elissa braced herself for an outburst.

Yet, the expected barrage of insults never came. Paige didn't seem to mind the coldness at all and instead asked with a laugh, "Elissa, are you working at the clinic today? Are you busy?"

Elissa frowned, unsure of what game the older woman was playing. Before Paige could finish, Butler Murphy's voice came through the line. "Miss Elissa, the madam fainted last night. She's been asking for you all day."

"If you have time, could you come see her at the hospital?" Elissa's frown deepened. "Butler Murphy, if there's something you need, just say it."

This sudden shift to a warm, emotional angle only set her on edge. "Do you want me to convince Rowan to go on blind dates again, or is it something else?" she asked bluntly.

On the other end, Paige looked utterly humiliated and shot a furious glare at the butler. Butler Murphy had no choice but to continue, "This time, the madam truly just misses you. She just wants to see you and have a chat, that's all."

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