Rowan knew perfectly well that comment wasn't meant for Mrs. Gable.
She was mocking him, using his own attitude against him.
Sitting down to eat, Rowan picked up his fork and it finally clicked—she already knew the baby's gender.
And his answer was the exact opposite of reality.
Janice Garrett sat beside him, watching his expression shift from cloudy to clear. Once he finished his meal, she asked, "Why are you two fighting the second you walk through the door?"
Rowan set down his silverware, half-joking. "I didn't start it. She's just taking her mood out on me."
He just didn't want a daughter to be the older sister.
Anyone who looked at the eldest daughter of the Wilkinson family would say it was exhausting.
At only thirty-three, Laurel carried the weight of the entire family on her shoulders, constantly worrying.
He wanted his daughter to be the youngest—a treasured gem spoiled by everyone.
Before he could finish the thought, a sharp smack landed on the back of his head. Janice scolded, "She was eagerly waiting for you to come home before she went upstairs! If you didn't make her mad, why would she snap at you for no reason?"
As far as she was concerned, her grandson was far too emotionally stunted. If it weren't for Elissa, no one else would be able to stand him.
Rowan clicked his tongue, rubbing his stinging scalp in disbelief. "Whose grandmother are you?"
To strike her own flesh and blood like that.
"The day you brought Elissa home, I stopped having a grandson."
Janice pointed upstairs. "I only have a granddaughter. You're just the live-in husband."
"..."
Wow.
Did Elissa slip a potion into the old lady's health remedies?
Seeing the sheer fondness on his grandmother's face, Rowan scoffed softly. "Fine. You all take her side."
Evan had betrayed him.
Rowan knew Janice was right. He raised an eyebrow. "Alright, then I'll... go upstairs and coax her?"
"Hurry up, then."
Janice shot him a look.
She had only worried he was hungry and didn't want to delay their bonding time.
As he reached the stairs, Janice suddenly remembered something and called out, "You two aren't fighting because she feels she's living here without a proper title, right?"
After all, they were cohabitating.
It was normal for a girl to care about that.
Rowan shook his head. "No, don't worry."
Janice still felt uneasy. "Why don't you find some time to go to city hall and get the marriage certificate first?"
Since she was pregnant, a grand wedding would be too exhausting, but getting the certificate only required a quick trip to city hall.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator
OMG OMG OMG an update! Thank you so much! 🥹...
Update please 🙏...
May this be updated soon 🙏...
Waiting for update. I miss Elissa and Rowan already. 🥺...
Update please...
Update please...