Chapter 463

Frank instinctively believed him. After all, Elissa was carrying Rowan's child and had grown up with him; it was only natural that she would trust him more. He had seen for himself how much Elissa relied on Rowan in the past. Back then, he had dismissed it as a sister's affection for her brother, but now, he realized her feelings for Rowan had changed long ago.

So why had she married him? The question churned in his gut, but he pushed it down, maintaining his composure. "Is that so? Well, she sees you as a brother. It's only right that you look after her." He then smoothly handed over the insulated container he was holding. "Edna made breakfast for her and the baby."

He was asserting his position as the child's father. He knew that even if Elissa told Rowan the truth, it wouldn't change anything. As ruthless as Rowan could be, he would never abandon his own grandmother for Elissa's sake.

When Elissa came out of her bedroom, the apartment was empty, bathed in the soft light of early autumn streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Faint sounds came from the kitchen. As she approached the doorway, she paused.

The man, dressed in a custom-made black shirt and matching trousers, had an apron tied around his lean waist. His back was to her as he stood at the stove, preparing breakfast with movements that seemed just a little unfamiliar. He must have heard her, because he glanced over his shoulder, his expression less than pleasant. "Her highness is awake? Go sit down."

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Elissa had no idea what she had done to annoy him this time. She glanced toward the front door. "Did someone ring the doorbell earlier?"

"No one," Rowan said without turning around, feigning being busy.

"Oh," Elissa replied, not thinking much of it. She had very few close friends or relatives who would visit At this hour, it could only be her professor and his wife from across the hall, and Rowan wouldn't hide that from her. She never would have guessed that Frank Frank had driven back

from Cresthaven overnight.

Soon, a beautifully arranged

breakfast was brought out from the kitchen. There was a thick-cut omelet she loved, bacon-wrapped asparagus, and a beef pie. When she saw the pie, she paused. "You made this? clearly thất Sheremembere she and Tanya Foster had already finished all the pies Mrs. Garrett had brought over.

"Let's just say I did," Rowan tossed out casually.

Originally, he had arranged for Evan to buy and deliver breakfast. But Frank's appearance had infuriated him, acting as if he were the only one capable of taking care of her. After sending Frank away with a few gone across

sharp words, he had

the hair, Janice Garrett had sent plenty of pies over to Rivercross Residence, and lan had brought them all to Vistapeak Gardens. Today, they came in handy.

Elissa didn't believe him. "Slate or one of the others bought it, didn't they?"

"Believe what you want." Rowan retorted irritably, pulling out the chair next to her and starting to eat without another word.

Even if she was slow on the uptake, Elissa could now clearly sense his passive- aggressive mood. Something had been off with him ever since she'd come out of her room. She took a bite of the beef pie. "Who lit your fuse so early in the morning?" He had been perfectly fine when they went to bed last night.