Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 521

Chapter 521 What’s Best for Layla

Left with no other choice, Tess pulled her gaze away.

She took Abel’s arm and said, “You might be out of the hospital, but you still need to rest. Don’t stay on your feet too long.”

The group finally went back inside.

As soon as Abel felt Tess touching his arm, his face flushed even redder. He quickly nodded and obediently walked in with her.

But while everyone else was looking forward, Abel’s eyes darkened for a split second. Something restless flashed through them–an emotion he tried to hide.

He couldn’t help glancing back in the direction Finn had gone, his chest tightening.

“What’s wrong?”

Tess helped him sit down, noticing his distracted look.

“Nothing. Guess your perfume’s making me dizzy.”

He said it without thinking.

Raven immediately rolled her eyes dramatically.

Lyra laughed, but Tess looked a little embarrassed and shot Abel a warning glare to shut him

1. up.

Abel pouted but did as she said, quietly sipping from his glass of water.

“Tess, you did the right thing,” Raven said, chewing on the candy Bessie had handed her. “Don’t even think about forgiving that guy. He can’t just throw money at you and think it makes up for everything. If he really wants forgiveness, maybe he should try spending a year behind bars himself.”

Tess couldn’t help but smile helplessly at Raven’s righteous tone.

“Of course I won’t forgive him.”

“But

…

Tess,” Lyra said suddenly, frowning, “Layla’s still his daughter. Are you really planning to stay enemies with him forever?”

1/3

The living room fell silent to the point you could hear if a pin drop.

In Bessie’s arms, baby Layla seemed to sense they were talking about her. She reached out with her tiny hands, trying to sit up and see what was going on.

Bessie shifted her a little so that Layla could look around the room.

Tess lifted her eyes, her gaze softening when it landed on Layla’s chubby face.

The baby had grown so fast. Just a little while ago, she’d been tiny and fragile, and now, she was plump and rosy–cheeked like a little apple. Her big dark eyes looked like shiny grapes, bright and full of life.

Tess thought about what Lyra had said, twisting her fingers together anxiously.

She couldn’t forgive Finn–not after he let someone frame her, not after he threw her in jail for an entire year without even checking the facts. Every memory of him only reminded her of that pain. All she wanted now was to cut him out of her life completely.

But…

Her eyes flickered as she looked at Layla again.

She wondered, Is that really fair to Layla?

After all… Finn was her biological father. Layla had never met her dad since birth, and barely spent any time with him.

She hadn’t given Finn a chance to try being a father, and it felt like she was cutting off Layla’s chance to have a dad.

Raven suddenly gave Lyra a strange look. “Are you out of your mind?”

Lyra frowned, confused.

Meanwhile, Tess pushed aside her messy thoughts and looked up at the two of them.

Raven huffed, clearly annoyed. She poked Lyra on the forehead with one finger. “Layla is Tess’s daughter. Whoever Tess says is her dad is her dad. And even if she doesn’t have one, who cares? Layla’s got two godmothers–that’s way better than some useless dad who never shows up.”

She folded her arms with a scoff, her tone full of disdain.

Honestly, she’d rather watch Abel end up with Tess than let Finn be Layla’s dad.

2/3

Raven’s blunt words broke the tension instantly, and the room warmed up again.

Lyra realized she’d been overthinking things.

“You’re right,” she said, nodding seriously. “That was narrow–minded of me. Tess, only the person you recognize deserves to be called Layla’s father.”

Abel watched them talk, but his gaze drifted toward Layla.

He rubbed his chin and cleared his throat. “You know… maybe I-”

“You should go upstairs and rest.”

Before he could say another word, Tess slapped a hand over his mouth, stopping him before he could embarrass her any further.

Abel’s

eyes widened. He looked at her pitifully, blinking like a scolded puppy.

But the moment he met her raised eyebrow, he surrendered instantly.

“Okay, okay, I won’t say anything…” he mumbled.

“Good. Now go. You just got out of the hospital–you need a couple of days to recover.”

Tess’s tone was firm. There was no arguing with her.

She turned to Bessie. “Take him upstairs. I’ll hold Layla.”

Bessie nodded and gently handed the baby over. As Tess took Layla into her arms, the soft, milky scent of the baby filled the air.

Layla blinked up at her with curious eyes, her sweet little face so adorable that it made Tess’s heart melt.