Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 525

Truth be told, Kylie never liked Tess. Sure, the girl had her flaws–she was stubborn, defiant, never easy to manage. But what really made Kylie resent her was something deeper. Henry’s attitude toward her had been lukewarm for years, and their marriage had lost the passion it once had. Somehow, in her heart, Kylie blamed it all on Tess.

She believed Tess was the reason that she’d lost Henry’s love. (D)

She pulled her gaze back and headed toward the kitchen.

“Hannah, make something simple for dinner tonight–just a few home–cooked dishes. Oh, and make sure the grilled salmon with chili–lime glaze is really fresh.”

After giving a few quick instructions, she suddenly remembered Henry hadn’t asked what ingredients to buy.

“Write down everything you need and text the list to Henry. He went out grocery shopping.”

The housekeeper nodded repeatedly, and Kylie let out a yawn before heading upstairs for a

nap.

At that very moment, Tess was facing Raven’s sharp, disapproving glare.

Tess glanced at her and couldn’t help but smirk. “What’s wrong?”

“Why did you agree to go?” Raven rolled her eyes. “You really think they mean well? They’re obviously up to something. You should know better than that.”

“Exactly,” Lyra added, frowning. “Even if nothing bad happens when you go to the Embers‘, it’s just a show to win you over. Kylie treated you like dirt before, and now she wants to play the loving mother act? No way. You can bet Henry’s behind this.”

Lyra shot Tess a disapproving look too.

Both women clearly thought Tess had no reason to play along with the Embers‘ little game.

That family is nothing but a bunch of leeches–we should stay as far away from them as possible.

“There’s a saying,” Tess said, blinking mischievously. “The higher the hope, the deeper the disappointment.”

Raven caught that look in her eye and immediately sat up straight, her earlier irritation

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“You’re planning to toy with them, aren’t you?”

“Maybe.” Tess arched a brow and gave a faint smile.

“Henry’s acting all loving with Kylie now, but it’s just for the Larsons‘ sake. He’s scheming for himself and for Shannon. I’m not letting him get what he wants. The higher he climbs, the harder he’ll fall.”

Her words were calm, but the spark in her eyes made both Raven and Lyra shiver.

“I’m in.” Raven said without hesitation. She was surprised at how much Tess had changed–but she liked this sharper, more confident version of her.

Lyra, however, stayed quiet for a moment.

She studied Tess, concern flickering in her eyes. She didn’t want her to drown in bitterness or let revenge become her whole life.

But she also knew what those people had done to her. Whatever happened to them now- they’d brought it on themselves.

“If it’s what you want, then do it.” Lyra rubbed her temples and nodded too.

Tess understood her meaning. She reached out and gently placed her hand over Lyra’s.

She looked up and met a pair of clear, determined eyes.

“Thanks. Don’t worry,” Tess said with a small smile.

That was enough to ease Lyra’s heart.

“Hey!”

“Tess!”

Suddenly, two loud voices overlapped, echoing through the house so loudly it could’ve blown the roof off.

A moment later, there came the pounding of footsteps on the stairs.

Abel and Lachlan burst into view, practically tangled together, both looking furious.

“What on earth are you two doing?” Tess stood up, her eyes immediately locking on Abel.

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“What’s going on? You just got discharged from the hospital–I told you to rest.”

Her brows knitted with worry.

The moment Abel heard her voice, his confidence shot up. He stomped forward, hiding behind her like a kid tattling to his teacher. “You didn’t tell me you had someone else staying here,” he grumbled, glaring at Lachlan. “What’s he still doing here?”

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Lachlan’s face fell, his expression full of quiet hurt. “Tess, why did you let him stay your

house?”

He took a step forward, his thin frame in casual clothes looking so fragile it seemed a gust of wind could blow him over.

Abel raised a brow and immediately wrapped a hand around Tess’s shoulder, possessive and smug. “That’s my question, actually. What, you’re a big–shot musician, but you can’t even afford a hotel room?”

Lachlan’s eyes flicked toward him, the sadness vanishing and replaced with sharpness–like a wolf defending his territory. “And you? Why aren’t you staying at a hotel?”

“Because Tess can’t bear to have me stay anywhere else,” Abel said proudly, puffing up his chest as he leaned closer to her just to get under Lachlan’s skin.

That did it. Lachlan’s eyes reddened, and he looked at Tess like a kicked puppy. “Tess!”

He reached out to grab her hand, but Abel was faster, smacking his hand away and giving him a deadly glare.

Lachlan froze, his expression blank, though his fingers curled slightly as tears welled up in his blue eyes.

“Enough.”

Tess rubbed her temples, clearly done with their nonsense. “Alright, tell me–what’s this fight about?”