Chapter 501

He could afford to raise a child, after all.

"It's me," she admitted.

Elissa didn't think there was anything to be embarrassed about. After all, she had already lost all her pride.

She blinked and spoke truthfully, "But it wasn't because I was blinded by love. I just wanted a little bit of freedom."

"Freedom?"

The moment the question left his lips, Rowan understood. It felt as if a soaked sponge was lodged in his throat, rendering him speechless.

An overwhelming wave of regret surged through his chest. Thankfully, the flickering streetlights inside the car hid the darkness in his eyes.

Back then, he actually thought she had been head over heels for Frank Atwater.

He had never imagined this was the real reason.

Because of this!

Rowan's eyes turned red as he pressed his lips to her forehead. "You've been through so much these past few years, my little Nine," he murmured.

"You have too, Rowan."

Elissa knew.

Ever since Lorraine Lynn told her about how he had nearly lost his life, Elissa knew he hadn't had it easy either.

The atmosphere grew unexpectedly emotional. Not wanting him to blame himself, Elissa changed the subject. "I think you missed answering one of my questions just now."

Rowan looked at her fondly. "What question?"

"Helping me get Paige's criminal evidence... aren't you worried about the ugly rumors that will spread?"

If it only affected her own reputation, Elissa wouldn't care.

She was avenging her parents; she didn't mind being labeled a traitor or an ingrate.

But this had absolutely nothing to do with Rowan.

Rowan saw the naked worry in her eyes. Just as he was about to speak, the privacy partition lowered slightly, and lan Murphy's voice came from the front. "Boss, Old Madam found out you moved to Vistapeak Gardens. She's already headed over and even prepared dinner for you."

"Got it," Rowan replied.

He didn't miss how the girl in his arms grew heavy-hearted the second she heard 'Old Madam'.

It was completely natural for her to resist and even despise Paige Jensen.

Rowan asked, "You don't want to see her?"

"No."

Elissa nodded.

Still, the fact that Rowan had chosen her was already more than enough. She couldn't demand anything else, much less ask him to cut ties with his grandmother for her sake.

Rowan ruffled her hair. "She's already there. Why don't you come meet her with me?"

Elissa lowered her gaze and didn't refuse. "Okay."

She wasn't afraid of Paige Jensen anymore anyway.

Especially with Rowan here.

When she was little, Paige would constantly find excuses to punish her, and Rowan

had effortlessly deflected every single one of them.

There was even less to worry about now.

The car slowly pulled up to the apartment building. Elissa pushed the door open and stepped out The tall man followed, naturally taking

her hand in his Con belongs to

Looking like newlyweds returning home from work, they walked shoulder-to- shoulder into the elevator.

As they reached their floor and the elevator doors slid open, Elissa felt an inexplicable, fleeting urge to retreat.

Her aversion to Paige seemed carved into her very bones, completely out of her control.

Rowan squeezed her hand, giving her a silent surge of confidence. "Don't worry. Whatever you're imagining won't happen."

"What do you mean?"

Elissa asked as she followed him

out of the elevator. She noticed Rowan's

door was open

and

Janice Garrett was standing right in

the entryway.

Seeing her, Janice's face instantly lit up with a kind smile. "Oh my, Elissa, you're back too?"

Elissa paused for a moment before letting out a soft laugh. "Mrs. Garrett, are you at the wrong place? My apartment is across the hall."