Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 540

**TITLE: Keepsake 540**
**Chapter 540: Tess, Are You Jealous?**

“Tess, why are you ignoring me?”

The question hung in the air, thick with unspoken emotions. Tess remained silent, her gaze fixed on the ground until Henry’s car finally turned the corner and vanished from sight. Her eyes shimmered, glistening with unshed tears, reflecting a deep well of sadness and helplessness.

Abel observed her, noting the way her expression shifted ever so slightly as she finally turned her head to acknowledge him. He straightened his posture, puffing out his cheeks in a playful pout, hoping to coax a response from her. “What’s wrong?” he inquired, his voice gentle, almost a whisper, yet his eyes sparkled with curiosity and concern.

Tess’s gaze darted away, her tone sharp and cutting like a knife. “If you don’t start driving, I’ll just call a taxi myself.”

The moment the words left her lips, the engine roared to life, its sound filling the silence that had settled between them.

Abel’s frown deepened, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. Yet, when he caught sight of Tess’s icy glare from the passenger seat, he swallowed his complaints, much like a puppy that had just been scolded, retreating into a sulky silence.

As they drove, Tess’s eyes remained glued to the road ahead, though they occasionally flicked toward Abel, who was still pouting slightly, his lips forming a stubborn line.

“What did you want to talk about with Nadine?” she finally broke the silence, her voice softer now, almost tentative.

Abel nearly slammed on the brakes in surprise; her willingness to engage was unexpected. The question echoed in his mind, transforming his earlier grumpiness into a surge of excitement.

“Tess, are you jealous?” he asked, a broad grin spreading across his face, his heart racing with exhilaration.

Tess frowned, her expression hardening. “Just drive properly,” she retorted, her voice laced with impatience.

Abel nodded, but he couldn’t resist stealing quick glances at her tense face, the way her jaw clenched and her eyes narrowed.

“You still haven’t answered me,” he teased, a confident smirk dancing on his lips. “Are you jealous of me talking to Nadine?”

His gaze sparkled with mischief as he turned to look at her fully, eager for her reaction.

Tess rubbed her temples, feeling a headache brewing from his incessant questions. She raised her hand, a gesture meant to halt his playful probing. “I’m more worried you might side with Nadine,” she admitted, crossing her arms defensively and letting out a cold, humorless laugh.

Trust was a fragile thing for her. Despite the bond she had built with Abel, memories of past hurts lingered like shadows, whispering doubts into her mind.

The atmosphere in the car thickened with tension, a palpable silence enveloping them.

Abel could sense the weight of her words, the underlying fear that accompanied them. He raised his eyebrows, a serious expression settling on his face. “Tess, what do you think I am? I’m not like Uncle Finn.”

He had grown up in a tangled web of familial complexities. To the outside world, he appeared carefree and somewhat lazy, but beneath that surface lay a sharp intellect. Yet, he found himself perplexed by Tess’s true feelings toward him, and that uncertainty gnawed at him.

His thoughts swirled like leaves in the wind, and despite believing he was being obvious, Tess seemed completely unaware of the depth of his feelings. He sighed quietly, though his expression remained casual and relaxed.

“So, did you find what you were looking for?” he asked, attempting to shift the conversation, his eyes still fixed on her.

Tess didn’t look up from her phone, scrolling absentmindedly as she replied without much thought, “Yeah, I got it. I’ll send it to Raven and the others first.”

As soon as she hit send, the screen flashed, confirming the picture had been sent. Raven’s reply came swiftly, “Got it.”

A wave of relief washed over Tess, and she relaxed for the first time in what felt like ages.

Abel tilted his head, observing her closely. “I was super busy today,” he said, breaking the silence again. “Dealing with all those crazy people was exhausting. And Nadine… just talking to her made me cringe.”

He dramatically clutched his chest, but his eyes kept darting to Tess, searching for her reaction.

Tess understood his feelings all too well, yet she maintained a serious expression, rubbing her chin in contemplation. Finally, she said, “Sounds like you had a rough day. You should go home and rest.”