A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 581

Carmela frowned, a chill washing over her. The son she had carried and birthed was now treating her with such contempt—and all over a woman.

"What do you mean this has nothing to do with me? I'm your mother! Is it wrong for me to care about your marriage?"

Frank Atwater's expression remained indifferent. "You're my mother. Of course, you're never wrong."

"But when you arranged my divorce behind my back, you should have expected this outcome. I'm your son, not a puppet on a string."

Carmela stood frozen as Frank turned and strode out the door.

Hickey bounded down the stairs like a cannonball, wrapping his arms around Carmela's legs. "Grandma! Was that Uncle Frank? Why didn't he come upstairs to see me?"

Carmela snapped out of her daze and hugged her only grandson tightly. "He's busy today. He'll definitely come see you next time."

"You're not lying, are you?" Hickey pouted, remembering Marcia Carson's constant reminders. "Is my mom really coming back? Is Uncle Frank going to marry her?"

After a slight hesitation, Carmela nodded. "Yes."

Whatever Marcia's past reputation was, the title of the Wilkinson family's fifth daughter was enough to wipe the slate clean. The Atwater family desperately needed the Wilkinsons' influence. She also needed a daughter-in-law of that caliber. With Marcia by her side, no one in her social circle would dare look down on her again.

Tomorrow, she would personally visit the Wilkinsons to finalize the engagement. Then, at the Winter Charity Gala in a few days, they would announce the wedding to high society. By then, even if Frank objected, he wouldn't dare risk offending the Wilkinsons to back out.

At Rivercross Residence.

Elissa Drummond stepped out of the shower. Seeing the bedroom empty, she padded toward the study to find Rowan Murphy.

Hearing the soft click of the door, Rowan looked up, speaking just as Elissa walked in. "Not sleepy yet?"

It was past ten.

Elissa blinked in surprise. "How did you know it was me?"

The moment the words left her mouth, she realized it was a silly question. No one else would dare walk into his study without knocking.

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