A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 575

Instantly, tears of joy welled up in Janice's eyes. She gripped Elissa's hand fiercely, then, realizing she might be squeezing too hard, let go and slapped her own thigh in absolute elation.

"Wonderful. Simply wonderful..."

Janice repeated the word several times before shooting Elissa a mock glare. "You silly girl, how could you keep something this massive a secret?!"

Thank heavens her grandson was hopelessly obsessed with love. He had been fully prepared to accept absolutely any baggage Elissa brought with her.

Elissa rubbed her nose sheepishly and honestly explained all the fears and hesitations that had held her back.

Since they were truly going to be a family, she didn't want any lingering misunderstandings between them.

Once Janice understood that Elissa had only kept the secret because she feared her chaotic background would drag Rowan down, her mock anger melted entirely into profound sympathy. "You foolish, sweet girl. You were terrified of dragging him down, but did you ever stop to think if he was more afraid of your burdens, or more terrified of losing you?"

Having weathered decades of high-society storms and brutal family politics, Janice saw things with crystal clarity.

Wealth and power were useful, yes, but none of it mattered compared to her grandson's actual happiness.

During those agonizing years when Elissa wasn't by his side, Janice had watched firsthand as Rowan lived a cold, desolate, ghost-like existence.

If Rowan had truly been afraid of Elissa's background holding him back, Janice would have been the first one to slap some sense into him.

Hearing this, Elissa felt a deep emotional pull in her chest.

Rowan had told her something very similar before, but hearing it reinforced so fiercely by Janice was completely unexpected.

She had always known Janice was incredibly tolerant and understanding, but she never imagined her acceptance ran this incredibly deep.

She blinked rapidly, forcing back the moisture gathering in her eyes, and looked at the older woman. "Janice, thank you."

"Thank me for what?"

Janice placed a choice piece of meat into Elissa's bowl, her voice warm and maternal. "You're the one enduring nine months of pregnancy. Rowan can't share an ounce of that physical burden. Just for that alone, that stubborn brat and I owe you for the rest of our lives."

Elissa's eyes grew hotter. Then, Janice's voice suddenly ticked upward in volume. "Wait, so does that oblivious brat still not know he's going to be a father?"

At the mention of this, the heavy emotion in Elissa's eyes dissipated slightly. She lowered her lashes awkwardly. "I did tell him, but... I think he completely completely misinterpreted what I was saying."

At the time, the man's attention had been entirely focused on... *other* activities.

Janice didn't overthink it. "Well then, you find another special moment to break the news to him. I won't ruin the surprise."

Joyous news like this belonged to the young couple to share privately. It wasn't her place to interfere.

Ultimately, whatever made Elissa happy was the priority.

As for whether Rowan was happy about the delay, Janice couldn't care less.

Elissa admitted it openly. She stood up, walked over to the sofa, and retrieved the set of acupuncture needles Janice had brought for her.

The venom was showing signs of spreading again. No matter how panicked she was on the inside, all she could do was apply another round of needles to suppress the toxicity.

She just had to hold out until her mentor returned.

After finishing the acupuncture, Elissa sat motionless by the bed, keeping a vigil over Jacqueline.

Rowan didn't try to pull her away. He simply sat nearby, working through his corporate documents on a tablet while keeping her company.

As dusk began to settle outside the windows, a sudden knock echoed from the door.

Elissa was engrossed in reviewing a preliminary data file sent from the research institute. Assuming it was Cliff dropping by after his shift, she answered automatically without looking up. "Come in."

The door handle clicked open, followed by the sound of steady, heavy footsteps. The tall figure came to a halt on the opposite side of the hospital bed.

"I'm sorry. I only just heard that Jacqueline was hospitalized. How is... how is she doing?"

It was a voice entirely different from the one Elissa had been expecting, yet deeply, painfully familiar.

It wasn't Cliff. It was Frank.

Elissa's head snapped up. She watched as Frank placed a vibrant bouquet of sunflowers on the nightstand. The moment his gaze met her clear, unwavering eyes, the man's expression stiffened, and he instantly averted his gaze.