A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 559

Elissa was dazed for a moment before snapping fully awake. "How did you get in?"

Hadn't she locked the door?

And hadn't he ignored her and left?

Rowan lied smoothly, "Climbed in through the balcony."

"Bullshit."

Elissa didn't buy it for a second.

Rowan tightened his grip around her waist, getting straight to the point. "I just didn't want our first child to be a girl."

"Being the eldest in the family means carrying too much weight."

Elissa froze, stunned. "Just because of that?"

She hadn't even considered that angle.

In the darkness, Rowan chuckled. "What else could it be?"

The lingering frustration in Elissa's heart vanished instantly. She probed hesitantly, "...Like preferring boys over girls?"

"If I preferred men over women, why would I want a girlfriend?"

Rowan clicked on the wall sconce and pinched her cheek. "Should I just find a boyfriend instead?"

Blinded by the sudden light, Elissa squinted and tilted her head up to look at him. "Well, you didn't explain yourself clearly. How was I supposed to know?"

She hadn't exactly given him a chance to explain earlier, either.

But remembering Janice's advice, Rowan admitted his fault in a low voice. "You're right. I was vague, and it made you overthink."

His warm, dry hand slipped under her loungewear, resting on her belly.

In the middle of the night, his eyes gleamed brightly as he asked carefully, "So... it's a girl?"

"Yeah!"

But Rowan's curiosity was piqued.

He played along, reaching up to turn off the light. The moment she let her guard down, he struck back.

The edge of her loungewear was tugged up, revealing a red lace strap.

Pressing against her luminous skin, it sent ripples crashing through the room, like a bomb dropped into a tranquil lake.

The girl shyly avoided his eyes, her ears burning red, wishing she could disappear into a crack in the floor.

At the exact same time, the man's eyes darkened with raw, churning lust.

Taking in her bashfulness, he pressed burning kisses to the side of her neck, his voice turning completely hoarse. "Our little Nine looks beautiful."

Scorched by his breath against her ear, Elissa curled up, her voice trembling softly. "Did you hear what I said earlier?"

"I heard you."