Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 529

Chapter 529 Cold Breakfast

Tess let out a faint laugh, her eyes filled with mockery.

Her gaze lingered on the white dress in front of her, but slowly drifted off.

In her memory, Gillian had been a true master of all trades. Even though they’d lived together in a small, humble house, it was always full of life–the sound of music playing, the smell of home–cooked food, and most often, the rhythmic hum of a sewing machine.

The Larsons were never short on money.

But Gillian was a designer, and every dress she wore was one she’d made herself–stitched carefully by hand, full of warmth and love.

Tess’s eyes, once sharp and cold, softened as she thought about it. Even the plain white wallpaper around her seemed to lose its stiffness and feel a little warmer.

Before she knew it, sleep crept up on her. She drifted off without meaning to, but hunger soon woke her again.

The food at the Ember Residence hadn’t suited her taste, so she’d barely eaten. Now she was starving.

Tess sighed quietly and got up, deciding to check the fridge.

It wasn’t that late–around 9 p.m.

As she made her way toward the kitchen, she caught the faint sound of voices and stopped. She slowed her steps and moved closer, careful not to make a sound.

Standing just outside the kitchen, she saw the warm light spilling out and heard the conversation inside.

It was Henry and Kylie.

“What happened? How could you not know she doesn’t eat onions, dill, or garlic?”

She.

Tess instantly realized they were talking about her, and her ears perked up.

Kylie sounded defensive, a bit resentful at being scolded. “It’s not like she lives with us! How would I know that?”

“But you didn’t have to put those things in every single dish, did you?” Henry replied, sounding annoyed.

Kylie snapped back, refusing to take the blame. “Hannah made the food, not me! Besides, Nadine likes onions, dill, and garlic. We’ve always cooked that way. You were eating just fine yourself, weren’t you? And now you’re turning it on me?”

She pouted. “Also, you were the one who messed up the room setup, remember? Hannah told me.”

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18:35 Tue, Nov 25 0

Chapter 529 Cold Breakfast

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Henry rubbed his forehead, frustrated but helpless. “Tess finally agreed to come back, and we just keep messing things up. We’ll have to be more careful next time.”

Kylie muttered an unenthusiastic “Fine,” her face blank.

Their voices filled the quiet hallway.

Tess’s eyes flickered slightly.

She hadn’t expected anything from either of them anyway. As for the dinner earlier–it had tasted plain enough, but there was no way someone like Kylie, pampered her whole life, had made it herself.

Now that she knew Hannah had cooked it, everything made perfect sense.

Tess’s lips curved faintly. The hunger she’d felt moments ago vanished completely.

Sleepiness took over again. She gave the kitchen one last glance, then quietly slipped back to her room.

Maybe it was the exhaustion from dealing with everyone all day, but as soon as she hit the bed, she fell into a deep sleep–and didn’t wake up until morning.

Knock, knock, knock.

She woke to the sound of someone knocking..

Still half–asleep, she rubbed her eyes and opened the door. Nadine stood there, smiling brightly, though the effort behind it showed.

“Tess, Mom and Dad asked me to wake you for breakfast.”

Her eyes sparkled with fake warmth, the perfect picture of a sweet, caring little sister.

If Tess hadn’t already known what was behind that face, she might have believed it.

“Okay.”

Her reply was short. Before Nadine could say anything else, Tess closed the door in her face.

The door slammed with a loud thud. If Nadine hadn’t stepped back in time, it would’ve hit her right in the

nose.

As soon as Tess was out of sight, Nadine’s expression darkened, her teeth grinding in anger.

Tess actually slammed the door on me.

Her eyes burned with jealousy and rage as she glared at the door, as if she could see right through it at the person inside.

When Tess finally came downstairs half an hour later, Kylie was already restless.

Her patience was wearing thin despite Henry’s attempts to calm her.

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18:35 Tue, Nov 25 0

Chapter 529 Cold Breakfast

The moment Tess appeared, Henry jumped to his feet, smiling. “There you are, Tess! Nadine went to call you a while ago. Look, breakfast’s gone cold now. The taste won’t be the same anymore–what a shame.

He sighed, sneaking a glance at Tess’s face.

But Tess didn’t even look at the seat they’d saved for her. She just gave the table a quick glance and said, “I’m not hungry. I’m heading to the office.”

With that, she grabbed her purse and walked out.

Nadine’s eyes followed her the whole way, narrowing when she saw the bag swinging from Tess’s hand. If I’m not mistaken, that’s the latest limited–edition designer purse–one of only 10 ever made. And Tess has one! “She’s not eating? We waited all this time for nothing?”

Kylie’s anger flared, but Henry quickly placed a hand on her shoulder, pressing her back into her seat. His own face, though, was dark with irritation.

He hadn’t expected Tess to be that disrespectful.

“Forget it. Let’s just eat,” he said stiffly.

The two of them sat back down, chewing on the now–cold breakfast with sour expressions.

“Hannah! Make another serving–and one for Nadine too!” Kylie shouted angrily.

Henry nearly choked, slamming his spoon down before passing his plate forward. “And one for me, too.”

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